Progress

Five truckloads, a few bruises, two room dilemmas and one scared kitty later, the fiance and I are officially in the new house. It was a lot of work, but we managed to move all of our possessions in one weekend (Observation: if you want to deter hoarding, make a person pack and move all of their own ish by themselves).

It might be a few more days before I post again since it's super busy around these parts: Unpacking the new place, cleaning the old place, Thanksgiving, Apple Cup, the fiance's parents coming to town, preparing for my cross-country road trip, still no Internet at the new house ... So I wanted to share a glimpse of the early stages of the living room pre boxes and miscellaneous furniture overflow. This picture might be more for my sanity and serve as a reminder it did look semi-normal at one time.

By no means am I a professional interior designer, and the living room and office are proving to be a little challenging. But I like to keep it real around here, so I present to you the unfinished and unstyled living room.

And now it's back to cleaning the old place ... Maid service anyone?!

Sunset from the backyard ... Pardon the leaves.

Five for Friday: Gray all the way

It's finally here!!! The fiance and I get the keys to our new casa today at 5 p.m., and I'm beyond ready to move into the space. Thank goodness our landlord has great taste and already painted all of the walls gray. After a few conversations, he and I seem to have the same aesthetic when it comes to interior design. So happy he's not the type of landlord who has an affinity for poop-green paint and shag carpet circa 1973.

Gray is such a versatile "neutral." You can pretty much pair it with any color and style, which is ideal for someone like me who tends to change her mind easily and often. What is your go-to wall color? Happy Weekend!

1. Eclectic + warm

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2. Pretty + contemporary

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3. Fun + bold

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4. Modern + sleek

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5. Feminine + classic

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Check out past Fridays here.

Change of address

Tomorrow, the fiance and I will say peace out to wannabe-porn star, rhino foot-stomping, dog-barking, chain-smoking, cupboard-slamming, grimy neighbors ... You know, all of the joys that come with attached-space living. And if leaving the Jerry Springer Show rejects wasn't relief enough, we get to call an incredible space with loads of potential home.

I'm beyond stoked to start decorating (expect a few mood boards). Our landlord has good taste and already painted the walls gray, updated the appliances and fixtures, installed a pretty backsplash in the kitchen, put hardwoods throughout and painted the front door a gorgeous red. Other highlights include having a dedicated work space (no more office-slash-guest bedroom for this girl) and a fruit tree in the front yard. 

And can we just discuss the effing pool?!?! That basically sold me on the house at first sight. If you've ever been to the AZ, you know a refreshing aquatic source is essential to surviving the sweltering summers. 

I feel so blessed that we found a house that met all of our requirements. And did I mention it's in one of the best neighborhoods in Phoenix?! We looked in the area upon arrival to the AZ, but nothing was available. I'm chalking up hitting the house lottery as good karma for dealing with some grade-A next-door asshats over the past 20 months.

Take a mini-tour of the townhouse before we move. Sketched-out neighbors not included.

Fashion to furnishings: Birthday bliss

It's hard to believe it's time to blow out Birthday candles. What's even harder to fathom is I'm turning the Big 3-0 on Saturday.

It's been a low-key Birthday Week, which has been nice, considering it's about to get outta control this weekend. The fiance and I are heading to Denver on Friday for the Great American Beer Festival. Then we're making the short trip to Boulder to watch our college's football team play the University of Colorado on my Birthday (Cougar Football + my Day of Birth = Meant to be).

It hasn't been all chill, though. I kicked off Birthday Week by completing my first mud run. And I'm happy to report I was 35th out of 183 individual female finishers! Yay! We've also attended two really fun D'backs games, including a 10-inning thriller Tuesday night. Today, I'm getting my hair did and treating myself to a mani/pedi.

In lieu of 108 Birthday Week posts, I put together this fun Fashion to furnishings: Birthday edition. I was completely inspired by this gorgeous dress. And even though I'll be rocking game-day gear and not sparkles, this would be my dream 30th Birthday if I was having a traditional party. But seeing my college play in person on the same weekend as one of the biggest brew festivals in the world is a gift made just for me.

Get your party on: dress / cake / garland / confetti / balloons / invite / candles

Delve into the fashion to furnishings archives.

Fashion to furnishings: To-die-for tie dye

It hit 110 here yesterday (it really only felt like 92), so that means the summer uniform of fab dresses is here to stay. I'm digging all of the tie-dyed ish I've been seeing everywhere. We're not talking the hippie or 80s hypercolor crap. It's modern and oh so pretty. So when I came across this beauty that combines both, I was super inspired.

Get the goodies: Dress / Poster / Lamp / Rug / Tumbler / Console / Pillow

More outfits-turned-cool ish can be found here.

Design crush: White bedding

In a world of design overload, it's good to get back to the basics. I'm a girl who loves the ish out of bold color and print, but sometimes a space can look like the designer vomited patterns and hues everywhere. Enter white bedding. A plain duvet cover or comforter provides a foundation to showcase yet ground pops of color and pattern.

It's a look most everyone can pull off. And if you get tired of certain pillows and throws, switch them out for an overhaul that doesn't break the bank (hell to the yes for saving dolla dolla bills y'all). The basic but pretty look is serving as inspiration in my own bedroom makeover, which I started yesterday. Stay tuned, friends!

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See what else is stealing my design heart here.

Fashion to furnishings: The Oscars ... again

Mila Kunis' Oscar gown is still on my mind. So to celebrate the lingerie-inspired lace dress by Elie Saab, I saw it fitting to compile another "Fashion to furnishings." The muted purple and shiny accents are a perfect way to usher in spring, which looks like it's here to stay in Arizona.

1. Home ORB sunburst mirror / 2. Amazon.com lamp  / 3. Blu Dot Strut Table / 4. Kate Long Stevenson: The Mirror / 5. Purple Capiz Lotus candle holder / 6. Grasset handmade rug

Fashion to furnishings: The Oscars

The Oscars are an awards show I can get on board with (unlike the Grammys). The fashion, the integrity of honoring legit work that's not manufactured junk and the speeches are reasons I tune in. 

Even though I had to wait a day to watch because my college beat our rival in an important men's basketball game that happened to be on at the same time (priorities people and God bless DVR), it was worth it to see some stunning dresses. I was inspired by all the sparkle and pretty hues. And one stood out in particular ...

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Want more fashion-inspired furnishings? Take your stylish ace over here. 

Fashion to furnishings: The Grammys

Let me preface this by saying I haven't been a fan of the Grammys in a long time. Any organization that honors the collective crap that is the prefab music being churned out these days (Hello, Justin Bieber, minus Arcade Fire) is not OK in my book. But as with most award shows, they afford the opportunity to scout out pretty and are-you-serious? fashion. And the Grammys are no exception. 

When I saw the picture of Julianne Hough rocking a stunning Catherine Malandrino dress at the music award show, I was transported to my happy place where abstract patterns and geometric goodness deck the halls. I was totally inspired by the bursts of color and floral and below is the result. And how gorgeous would that goddess gown look framed and hanging in said happy place?! ... Further proof that inspiration is everywhere.

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Fabric frustration

I finally checked out SAS Fabrics By The Pound last week in search of some non-grandma floral patterns to compliment the geometric fabrics around the townhouse. And I'm sad to report that I was pretty disappointed by the lack of modern fabrics.

Truth be told, I really haven't been overly impressed with the area's selection of textiles. I struck out at Tempe Sales and Mesa Sales and was mildly impressed by HomeFabrics & Rugs.

So I'm calling on all AZ fabricistas (Pretty sure you can add "ista" to anything these days). I would love to know the location of your go-to textile paradise. Blogger friends can jump in here, too. What are your experiences with buying fabric online? Yeah or nay?

My naked dining room chairs and empty window seats would appreciate it. 

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A gossip-worthy set

I love Gossip Girl. Still. Some say the writing has gone downhill this season, but I don't care. I'm in it for the long haul. So imagine my excitement when I came across an InStyle feature showcasing some of the fabulous rooms on the set. 

The article not only provides an in-depth glimpse at the pretty spaces, but gives tips on how to incorporate elements of the set into your own rooms. The recommended items are hella expensive, but you can use it as a guideline for trips to Goodwill, HomeGoods and IKEA.

Now, if only someone would showcase Chuck Bass' Empire Hotel.

Love, love, love the Prada picture and the white couches (of course).

Polka dots = Still my fave.

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And because I still think Chuck and Blair are destined to be together ...

Design crush: Pillow talk

Hello, my name is Jonalynn, and I have a pillow problem. Well, it's more of a profound love than a problem, but let's just say if I had some serious cash to spend on accessories, every room in the townhouse would be swimming in pretty pillows.

They're just the right dose of color and pattern. Not to mention an easy and inexpensive addition to any room that can be changed out as your design taste evolves without breaking the bank. And we can all get on board with cheap, fun and temporary.

Four pairs of covers are en route to the townhouse courtesy of Etsy, which is a great resource for affordable pillows (and tons of other fun stuff). And because one can never have too much of a good thing, I have my eye on these fabulous cushions for future acquisition.

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Design crush: White couch

I've been obsessing over white couches for a while now and figured I'd share the love. What some may see as plain, I see as an opportunity. 

Even though I'm a pattern kind of girl, a white couch never goes out of style. You can add and subtract color and pattern around the neutral staple as your design tastes change. 

Now, if only I could convince the fiance to get on board with acquiring two white slipcovers for our couches. Perhaps these flawless images will change his mind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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