Nuestra Vida Dulce: July 2011

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

This Just In..

I (David) have just received an urgent phone call from the mastermind of this here blog (Joi). She is asking me to make this very important post. So without further ado...

Joi wants to remind you that she is guest blogging over at Brooklyn Limestone. I personally know nothing about this website, but Joi seems to really enjoy it and since they have asked my wife to guest blog it must be really good and run by very intelligent people. The link to Joi's post is right ............ here. Pay attention to the clever title of the post as it is a play on the way that some people say Joi's name (Joy instead of Joey like a boy or a baby kangaroo).

Here is a screencap (industry term) for the Brooklyn Limestone post.

Go over to Brooklyn Limestone and check it. There is some really cool stuff over there, in addition to Joi's post.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Just A Quick Note

I've got bad news.... Dave is here at the keyboard which means that your usually scheduled visit to "Decor-Craigslist-Fantastic Land" has been interrupted. This is not my first rodeo when it comes to posting on this blog. You may remember golden oldies such as this or this or this which details our first dating time and who could forget my photoshop skills.

I won't take up to much of your valuable time, but I do want to thank you very much for your valuable time. Being the silent part of the Nuestra Vida Dulce combination I get to sit back and watch all of "this" that has been happening and to my wonderful. I'm not sure if any of this deserves the words "fame" or "notoriety" or "attention" but the tv shows and magazines have been awesome for Joi. She deserves everything she gets, even if she is hesitant to talk about. That is my job! When we go out I am the one that brings up and brags on her. I call myself her hype-man! But this would not happen without all of you, the faithful readers and followers of Nuestra Vida Dulce. When she started this blog it was just a little way to talk about little this and little that. But now this blog has turned into.... well whatever it is. It's as big as the "big" blogs, but to me (and I am biased) it is better than any of those (no offense).

Basically the point is me just thanking you for coming by the blog and all of your support. Joi, Niko, Scout, and I all really appreciate it.

Joi will be back in just a few days to do her thang like we all know and love.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Friday Randoms

Well, in just a couple of hours my mom, maw maw, and I are to embark on our way out to Las Vegas! The posting might be a little minimal around here until I return...I am trying to get the Mr. to post so we will see if he obliges.

Before I leave I wanted to share with you two great finds I picked up for this trip. And, the lazy me again only has cell phone pics. Don't be mad. You aren't, right? Those cell phone cams are just too darn convenient! : )

First, I picked up this huge makeup bag from TJ Maxx for $8.00! I am using it to carry on some makeup and my brushes just in case! I love the ikat/chevron goodness. Yum.

I also have been meaning to share this find for quite sometime now! I wanted a cross-body bag for Vegas and I did a lot of searching in stores and online for the perfect choice. I came across this vintage Louis Vuitton Saint Cloud bag and I made her mine.

She's the perfect size and will allow me to have my hands free while I'm strolling the strip and doing the tourist thing.

Finally {and this really has nothing to do with Vegas}, I scooped up this random scarf from Old Navy. The pic doesn't show how it has the prettiest gold shimmer to it, but trust me, it does.

I bought this from the sale rack and plan to use it to sew a cover for the bolster pillow that will go on our bed {remember the one I told you we just bought?}. I never expected to find such a pretty fabric at Old Navy of all places! That just goes to show you to always think outside the box. My mom doesn't know it yet, but she's going to be helping me with this little project. I found an easy tutorial that I think we can tackle together here. Thanks in advance, mom!

That's it for me! Have a fabulous weekend and try to stay cool during this crazy heat wave. I've saved all your recs from my Vegas post and hope to do most of the things you guys suggested. Thanks for taking the time to help us out.

P.S. My twitter handle is @joidan82. I plan to be posting a lot of twit pics from the vaca! I'd love to have you as a follower.

P.P.S. I added some fun stuff to the "For Sale" page on the blog! I hope you check it out! : )

xoxo

Thursday, July 21, 2011

I'm At It Again

I really just can't help myself. I try and try to finish a room and let it be but then I get a new idea and I go to town rearranging things. This time my new ~~victim~~ project was the office.

First, let me just say I love the chevron drapes. Love them. But when I saw this fabric something in me said I needed it and that the chevron drapes had to go. They had their heyday.

I'm not the biggest purple or red fan so me liking this fabric really kind of shocked me. But I went with it! I couldn't stop thinking about it so I knew it was the real deal.

I wasn't totally sold on getting rid of all things chevron in my life so I made sure to buy this chevron rug from Overstock. The quality is pretty thin, but for the price, I'm OK with it.

I also replaced the spray painted chandelier for one that I purchased months ago from a local furniture dealer. It looks like a disco ball and it casts a pretty sweet light on the walls and ceiling. It was less than a $100 bucks so it won't feel bad replacing it down the road.

{A little note: all of these pics are either phone pics or non-edited...just call me lazy!}

I gotta thank my father-in-law and husband for wiring and hanging it for me! Thanks, guys!

Back to the fabric for a bit...I bought quite a bit since I wanted to make 4 panels for both windows. It came in one super long piece so we had to cut it outside. I'm sure people were wondering what we were up to.

After cutting it I hemmed it with the n0-sew iron hem and hung all of the panels close to the ceiling. I bought some ring clips from Target and used the rods that I already had.

While I was at this whole makeover I moved the furniture around, too. I brought the TV in from the bedroom and put the desk across from it. I am really using my laptop at the desk lately with school work and blog work. It makes me be more productive. At least I think it does.

I still have some more plans for the room and of course I'll share them with you all as I go along. You know my home is never quite done. : )

xoxo

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

What's Good In Your Hood {Jacksonville, FL}

Happy hump day! It doesn't matter much to me but to all of you workers out there it signifies greatness....the weekend is near! : )

Today we're searching for deals in a place I'd love to be: Jacksonville, Florida!

$85 Pair of Lamps

$30 Brass Shelving Unit

$99 Campaign Dresser + Hutch

$125 Sofa

If you want me to search your craigslist, check the list in my sidebar -- > to see if your city's in the lineup, if not, send me an email to Nuestravidadulce@gmail.com and I would be happy to add it to the list!

xoxo

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Great Day St. Louis [Office Reveal]

Since appearing on The Nate Berkus Show {one of the best moments of my life!} I've had the surreal opportunity of appearing regularly on the St. Louis morning show, Great Day St. Louis. It's one of the best experiences of my life that I keep getting to experience. How fun for me!

Virginia Kerr, one of the co-anchors, asked if I would help design her and her producer Dianne's office a couple of months ago. She said it was a site for sore eyes and she was right. Here's a look at camera phone pics of their space:

The office was dark without any natural light, it had exposed plumbing, and cinder block walls. It wasn't a place where Virginia and Dianne felt inspired and I about peed my pants when Virginia asked little ol' me to come up with a design plan.

A couple of stipulations that she gave me were:

1. It had to be done on the cheap; I was giving the ideas & plans but they were carrying them out
2. They would like to DIY as much as possible
3. They wanted a cheery & inspiring place to work

I took their advice and went to town. I scoured the internet and pinterest and came up with a moodboard that I crossed my fingers they would love. I made the moodboard into a powerpoint to share with Virginia and Dianne, but you guys are just seeing some of the slides I had photobucket make into a collage. : )

Here are the videos: "before" and "after". I tried to embed them but it messed up the blog's formatting. Sorry for the extra click!

I am floored at how wonderful the "Live What You Love" art came out. I wanted it to be bold and make a statement and it is definitely my favorite part of their space. I also love that Virginia was able to score the available-for-a short-time-only Urban Outfitter's zig zag rug! I suggested it and she was all for it!

Another favorite of mine was the credenza in Dianne's office that she spruced up and found for free! Woohoo!

I just love these opportunities and I'm happy to share them with all of you, too. Thanks for always being so sweet and supportive. : )

xoxo

Monday, July 18, 2011

Viva Las Vegas

Ok friends! I am excited to share that maw maw, my mom, and I are about to embark on a little vaca to Las Vegas!

via

I am super excited but a bit overwhelmed. There is so much to do and see and I'm not sure where to start. I do know that we're staying at The Mirage and that we're going to see Garth Brooks {SUPER excited about that part}!!!! Yeehaw!

So tell me...have any of you ever been? If so, what do you recommend? We're pretty much up for anything {within reason! ; ) }

Ready. Set. Go with those recommendations! I'm all ears!

xoxo

KateBobate Earrings Winner!

Happy Monday, everybody! I'd like to congratulate, Allison, over at My Life As A Wife for winning the fabulous KateBobate earrings!

Sad face for those of you who didn't win, but there is good news! Kate is clearing out her shop and is offering a crazy 80% off her pieces with the code: EIGHTYOFF. Those prices are unbelievable. I hope you all pick up some pieces to make your outfits complete.

xoxo

What's Good In Your Hood {Denver}

Happy Monday to you! We had a great little weekend that involved some shopping, great food, and wonderful company!

On Saturday we headed over to Phillip's Furniture to finally spend my gift certificate that I won for St. Louis Living Space of the Year nearly 9 months ago! I only had three more months until it expired so I made sure to use it all up.

We decided on a new nail head trim bed and I can't wait to get it so I can show you guys! It looks very similar to the ever famous Colette bed so I'm sure you guys can envision it.

While we were there we shopped around and I snapped a couple pics of images I liked. I thought this glider was perfect for a nursery! I loved the piping in a deep blue color. I think it was only $400 or so. That's not bad for a piece you can customize. {And no, I'm not pregnant!}

I really liked these bottles grouped together for this centerpiece {I was not digging the faux flowers, though}. I think it was just white paint in plain bottles and they were selling them for $13 a pop. Way too pricey for something you could easily DIY.

While we were checking out I spied a "design board" on their wall and I spotted a very familiar looking room.

Did you see it? It's our living room. I was taken aback, but also flattered!

While on our way to meet up with our fabulous cousins for dinner and FroYo, we stopped by an antique mall that was waaaaay outta my price range. I snapped a pic of this too beautiful for words chandelier that was nearly $3,000. Sad face for sure. And I thought the Jonathan Adler version was spendy at $750....silly me.