Bookcase.

While I think technology is ruining the world, I'm still holding onto books. I refuse to admit that there is anything better then lovely thick pieces of paper, printed with ink and bound together. I love everything about books, especially old books. I love the smell of old books.

Amazing.

I was having a conversation today with a coworker about books. I don't think I will ever succumb to a Kindle or iPad for reading. I don't think I could do that. I need to hold the book. I love to dog ear the pages and crack the spines. Searching for where you left off is part of the magic of reading! If it's a book I particularly love, I'll even highlight passages I like. You can't do that with a Kindle.

When I grow up and have a house of my own, I want a large bookcase. Preferably, I'd have a library with shelves and shelves and shelves, plenty of room to store my babies.

I like to think I have a solid collection of books for my age, but I can't wait to expand it. I have a very extensive cook book collection, thank you to my wonderful grandmother who usually includes at least one cook book at each gift giving event. And I welcome them all with open arms. I think I've tried at least once recipe from each book, except maybe the fine French cuisine but it's on my to do list! I actually miss them, my cook books. I used to go to them for everything but now that they're in storage, I have to refer to the Internet *shudder*.

But I'm constantly having this inner battle with myself about the library. I loved the library when I was a kid. It allowed me access to any book I could literally think of and I read a lot when I was a kid. But now, like, I want a library card but I don't see the point, since I'm a book whore...er...hoarder, I don't want to rent the book, read it, then buy it. I want to straight up buy it. Luckily, however, I am the book buyer that actually rereads books! I think if I didn't then I'd have a problem but I have some books that I've read three or four times! That's the best part about owning books, honestly.

I hope that books stay around forever. As my internship ends, I plan on treating myself to some new books. Well, technically old books. There's a store here called The Monkey's Paw that I want to visit. It's a used book store but it has some really strange books. They also have a book vending machine. That's right. You'll just have to wait to see pictures!

Are you Pinterested?

If you enjoy blogging or reading blogs or DIY or just food,

you probably know Pinterest. 

I was INSTANTLY addicted.

Because there is so much to look at on Pinterest, 

I decided to narrow my current obsessions down to a few things

and share them with you!

1. My mother inspired me with this canned goods filled pantry.

One day I shall own a pantry and it shall look like this.

2. I was going to say I can't wait to have kids so it's finally acceptable to have a tree shaped bookcase, but I think I might actually look into this for my adult self.

3. I love this dresser (?). It's so beautiful! I also love the skirt she's wearing.

4. I know I shouldn't be thinking about weddings just quite yet, but thanks to my sister, I've been noticing things i'd like in a wedding since she got married last year! But I just can't forget about this beautiful black ribbon.

5. I think I might have posted about this...BUT I love, love, LOVE this pony dress DIY from A Beautiful Mess. I've been searching for a white dress now.

6. This mug would make it easier to get up in the morning.

It's just so cute!

7. The BEST idea for a condiment tray.

8. I apologize for the swearing but...lets face it....

THIS SUITS ME.

9. This is the best mat. And it includes lots o' wine drinking!

10. I am in LOVE with HEELS these days. I'm scared that I will turn into Carrie and start buying more and more and more...I find myself seeing some and thinking "$56? That's not too bad..." When it IS! I have a problem guys.

What are some of your finds on Pinterest??

Marching

Oh Happy March everyone! My, how time has flown!

I feel like New Years was yesterday, yet, I feel like tomorrow it'll be summer!

I'm very excited that my second favorite season is coming up, SPRING!

(Except for Daylight Savings next weekend, I do NOT like that.)

To start my post, I will reflect upon my last about wreaths.

My project this weekend was to make a spring wreath.

Here's how it turned out!

 I'm so happy with it!! It brought a lot of light into my living room, too. Yes, it was sad taking down the last wreath, but I think it's ok. It's time to move on, no??

On that note, lets see what I did this weekend!

 The weekend started with a few drinks at my work,Rudy's in New Haven. It's a pretty laid back gastropub that serves a lot of Belgian beers and inspired food. It's so different from the west coast, though. 

 

 Friday I got a latte from the coffee shop across the street from my house. It's appropriately called Koffee? I love that little cafe because at night they have wine, beer and cheese platters. I haven't gone yet but it's on my ToDo list for this coming week. I want to keep my business local, you know? Mom would be so proud!

Yummy beverages :)

Shrimp and rice.

 I love my weekends because they are usually filled with eating and drinking. Jake made AMAZING Shrimp Scampi on Thursday. It was OUT of the WORLD.

Saturday started with lunch at Liquid Lunch. It is this little sandwich and soup place. They have a HUGE menu of salads, sammie and soups. They are all so delicious!! I got French Onion soup and it was out of this WORLD. (Also in the picture is my new favorite seltzer water, raspberry lime. SO YUMMY!)

They mark your table with old soda bottles with color coordinated wooden spoons in them. I love that idea, I think it's really fresh and new! Or maybe it's old and I'm just new to the game :)

On our way home we saw the freaking Entenmann's OUTLET store! Yes. I said it. An OUTLET store. You could get like 3 boxes of treats for $6! We bought so many carbs. Delicious.

Lastly, I finished Saturday with a serving shift at work. This is a picture of the dining room. I love how it's decorated. The odd colored chairs and frosty windows with the cool lights, it's a great atmosphere.

I spent Sunday with my honey getting lunch, spending time at the fabric store, watching Planet Earth and making a spring wreath! It was such a lovely weekend. 

Any suggestions on a craft for next Sunday??

Wreath-er or Not!

Whether it's Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter...

I think there is always room for a cute WREATH to brighten up a room,

a door,

or an outside wall!

I know that wreaths are associated with Christmas and the holidays, 

but I'm on a new mission to make wreaths for every season!

Before Christmas, I stumbled upon my new love for wreath making on A Beautiful Mess (One of my FAVORITE blogs..she's so cute and talented!) She inspired me to use different materials and different colors to brighten up any season! 

This was the product of the tutorial:

After I saw how EASY this was, I went straight to the fabric store.

Follow the directions on the link above or follow me to the directions here!

This was my product:

My colors weren't as Fall-like as the original picture but this has allowed me to keep my wreath up all winter and now into (hopefully *fingers crossed*) SPRING!

Over the next few weeks, I plan on making a new one with more bright colors! Maybe a Spring garland?!

So many possibilities! 

My New Obsession

SO! I hope everyone have a wonderful Valentine's Day. I know I did! I made cupcakes for Jake then went to work. We've postponed our day together until this Saturday. Don't fret. You'll get an update ;)

Pasta and rice and almonds, oh my!

But I have this new obsession. With glass jars. Glass organizing jars. I've now decided that I want everything in my cabinets to be in glass jars, all different sizes, so I can see everything!! 

My next step is to use the chalk board paint that Jake bought, paint a big strip across the front of the jar. Then I can write in chalk what's in the jar! (I know it'll be obvious what's in the jar but it'll be cute!)

So in honor of me FINALLY finding my home organization bug (believe me, I was never this clean or organized when I was a kid), I've decided to share some of my favorite ideas. I've gathered these ideas from other blogs and from Pinterest (one of my new favorite websites!)

What a freakin GREAT idea!

A Beautiful Mess has so many great ideas in general BUT under the "Decor" tab, there's an idea for a spice organizer! Some day I hope to have enough space to do so!!

Camille Styles is such a beautiful blog. I could spend HOURS on here just looking at pictures and getting ideas. I've wanted a garden since I moved here to Connecticut but since I don't have the space, I thought THIS was a great idea! 

Lastly is a new blog I started following, While He Was Napping. So many cute ideas!!!!! I loved the bathroom mason jar organizer. I am so going to do THIS when we get a new place! 

Alright, lovelies, that's all I have for the day!! I want to post what I did for Valentine's Day SO BADLY but since we aren't having our day until Saturday, I don't want to risk Jake actually reading this thing ;)

Till next time!