Sliding Between the Gold Filigree Leaves . . . a DREAM

I know exactly what you're thinking. You're thinking that since I enjoy a bowl of Cupcake Pebbles on occasion that my pallet must be naive and unrefined. There's a chance that you could be right. The fact of the matter is that the level of my refinement is as varied as my hair colors of 2010.

For example. I love shopping thrift and discount stores, but my heart belongs to Nordy (Nordstrom) and a sweet little place I like to call Anthropologie. Oh, Anthropologie, how you tempt me. Indeed you tempt me almost daily with your sweet little product e-mails and beautiful catalogs. TODAY you crossed a line. This filigree leaf sheet set has pushed me over the edge. I'm trying not to lust after you. I'm trying not to spend $148 on a set of 300 thread count sheets. I'm trying to use will power and good judgment. You're making it VERY difficult. In fact, I'm considering giving up Cupcake Pebbles and selling my bed just to afford your luxury. If you would be so kind as to go on sale, that would be lovely.

So, here I sit on a Saturday afternoon swooning over sheets and eating a bowl of cereal. Intense, huh?

Pinkalicious!

My room is officially accented with pink. Not just any pink--Barbie Pink. Oh, it's so fun and summery. I love the brightness and wonderfulness of it all. Pinkalicious!

Pinkin' IT up!

Watch out! I'm going PINK!

Sleeping on Sheep

So it's Saturday morning & as usual, I have a list of "to dos" that stretches from here to Chicago. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I've spent my morning enjoying one of my favorite Christmas gifts. What, you might ask, could possibly keep Michelle from her Saturday morning chores? Well, it's the most amazing wool bed fluffer (that's the most technical term I can think of) you've ever met. Ever since I broke my back in high school and had to spend the summer sleeping in my parent's bedroom, I've adored their bed. In fact, whenever I'm in Blackfoot, one of my favorite things to do is to curl up in their room and just soak in it's goodness. Well, now I have my own goodness & I never want to leave. I thought my bed was pretty wonderful before, but yesterday I finally had a minute to put fresh sheets and the new wool wonder on & I've officially decided to see if I can get a new job that can be done from the comfort of my very own Seely Pillowtop. A big thanks to mom & dad for sacrificing your bed for the summer of 1996 and for breaking the "no gifts" rule of Hawaiian Holiday 2007. I'm officially spending my nights in my own version of paradise.

Everyday

Every week when I put my sheets into the washing machine, I feel so domestic and get really excited to slip into their freshness. Unfortunately, I forget that putting them back on my bed somewhat of a pain in the patootie. Do you think I could hire someone to come every week and change my bedding? Are there service agencies for such a thing? I'd start one, but I would only be good at pulling the sheets off and putting them into the washer. . .I'd need a separate crew to finish the job.

Today, I'm grateful for a warm bed, fresh sheets, and lots of luxurious pillows.

My Autumn Oasis

Introducing my Autumn Oasis. My bedroom is still evolving and there are many things yet to be done. I still need to choose fabric for my window seat cushions and the ever-elusive "perfect window treatments" give me heartburn, but it's a place I love to be. It's warm and fun. It's flexible (thus, the current orange accents). It's non-traditional. It's peaceful. It's organized. It's home.

I've been noticing that my creative fervor has been dwindling of late and so I've been trying to let the bounty of fall inspire my spirit. Last weekend I pulled a boxed candle from the cupboard. The candle is a lovely grapefruit and the box had all sorts of potential. So, I took some paper scraps, felt flowers (by my friends at American Crafts), and black brads to create a little orange accent for my Autumn Oasis. It was a fun, inexpensive, and inspiring little project. Watch for this week's creation. . .I already have something in mind.

Decluttering Life

I've been going through a lot. Not "a lot" meaning difficult or emotional. "A LOT" meaning all my stuff. . .I've been going through it--every last stinkin' bit of it. I suppose our condo makeover has turned into a dejunk fest of sorts. The truth is that I feel liberated and free. Free of useless things. Free of clutter. Free of the weight we call possessions. This is not to suggest that I'm living out of a knapsack. Those of you who know me will understand that would be a semi-ridiculous proposition. I love nice things. I love feeling comfortable and clean. I love knowing that my life is free of the unnecessary. I love my new bed and if I didn't have television responsibilities to fulfill tomorrow morning, I'd be tempted to sit in it all day reading a lovely book and gazing at the beautiful springyness we call life.

New Pillowtop, New Perspective

This is cute. . .but not as cute as my room is going to be. . .

I have lots of good news to report and a couple of disappointments from the day.

Good news--I had lunch with Lori, Judy, & Will. I love them.

Good news--I work my brown wedges for the first time this season.

Good news--I bought the cutest green pillows for my bed.

Good news--I traded in the twin mattress that has has been laying on my floor for the past week for a scrumptious pillow top. By the time I'm finished with my bed, it will undoubtedly rival the aforementioned porn bed.

Good news--Kimmy gave my hair a trim.

Disappointments--

The extensive pillow top mattress cannot be forced into containment by the amazing green sheets I bought a few weeks ago. It's like squeezing D cups into B cups. . .doesn't work so well.

I can't find my favorite pen.

The furniture deliveryman woke me up this morning at 7am (Tuesdays are a "no run" day) to inform me that he would be making his drop between 7:30 and 8:30am. Needless to say, I wasn't very impressive when he arrived.

My brown wedges give my left foot a bit of discomfort by the end of the day.

I think Poncho is toying with my emotions.

Sometimes I want to be married. . .that way you have someone to lug around your sizeable and not-so-sizeable furnishings. I'm going to work on that.

A Glimpse

Thanks to the help of The Mayor and First Lady, I'm closer to having my bedroom of perfection completed. Great weekend full of inspiration and the people I love most. . .

Phase 1

The quest for bedroom perfection has officially begun. All of my belongings have been displaced. To where, you might ask? Well, I am quite creative and my sizeable master bathroom is now home to my dresser and bed. Various accessories have new homes in the living room and dining area. Some items have been moved northward to the storage unit and many unfortunate belongings will shortly find themselves in the local landfill.

I've decided that this bedroom makeover is going to be more of an emotional and financial undertaking than I had planned. It took a good portion of yesterday to go through my stuff, organizing, displacing, and clearing. The remainder of the day was swept away with a paint roller and some wicked awesome tunes. Wicker (the paint color) is now adorning the bedroom walls and I already feel more at peace with my surroundings. The only problem is that my bed is disassembled and it takes a great deal of strategy and planning to get underwear from the drawers of my bathroom bureau. . . I'm willing to sacrifice. That is not to imply that I'm going without underwear! Where there's a will, there's a way.

I'm thinking about naming my bedroom. Any suggestions? I don't want any cheesy Anniversary Inn name. I'm thinking of something short, catchy, and inviting.

So, here's the final plan. I have most of my new bedding. . .just need a new bed. The carpet will be completed this week and my favorite handyman is coming into town next weekend to help me with a few incidentals that are beyond my abilities. This time next week, I hope to have a picture of the finished product. . .though my desk probably won't be delivered for a few more weeks.

This is not what my room will look like, but I do enjoy this fun photo collage and bedding. This is what my bedroom currently looks like. Notice the blue painting tape, my trusty vacuum, bed frames, and pink nail polish. Still have a long way to go, but I'm feeling energized and ready for bedroom perfection.

Happy Decorating.