Thanksgiving-inspired table settings

I’ve never really had the desire to host my own Thanksgiving, but now that I’m starting to be a grownup — you know, living in my own place, setting budgets and baking pies and whatnot — I suddenly have the urge to play hostess. It’s not in the cards for this year, though, as I’m usually too busy to even remember to buy groceries once a week so preparing a whole meal just isn’t going to happen. But hopefully by next year I can start to think about at least throwing a Friendsgiving, which would be so fun.

Housewarming gifts your friends will actually like

neutral throw blanket / volcano candle (smells amazing!) / pineapple wine stopper 

cute kitchen bowls / wooden wine rack / Kate Spade coasters

I'm in that stage of life now where friends are getting married, having babies and buying first homes. We're all such adults now! With so many people moving and starting new adventures, housewarming parties are going to start to take the place of all the weddings. Housewarming parties are a fun time to celebrate a new stage in a couple's life, and the perfect way to help them settle in is with a nice gift to make their new house feel like a home.

A housewarming gift should be fun, practical and it should definitely reflect the couple. You don't want to get something that they won't use, and you shouldn't get something just because you'd want it (is this only tough for me?). Rather than buying a gift that will sit and collect dust or a piece of art that might not match the rest of their decor, your best bet in buying a perfect housewarming gift is one that is likely to be used in everyday home life, like a cozy throw or a pretty coaster set.

Which item is your favorite? Do you have a go-to housewarming gift? 

P.S. home decor wish list and the perfect home office

Bedroom update: room tour

Welcome to my once-again revamped room! I've been teasing some of my latest updates on Instagram, so I'm happy to finally give you a peak into the full thing. It's still not finished yet (I know, could this project take any longer?), but I'd say it's about halfway there at this point. I still have to add curtains, wall decor and a couple new nightstands. But other than that, keep reading to see everything I've done since the very beginning of my remodel! 

Home decor wish list

peace sign print / coral candle / ampersand / pineapple jar / ceramic egg carton

 mirror tray / trinket dishes / morocco jar / velvet bust

You may remember (though I wouldn't blame you if you didn't because it's been forever in the works) that I have been in the process of redecorating my bedroom. Well, it's taken much longer than I had hoped thanks to my surgery, lack of time and having to wait for my mom to move her furniture out. But! It's finally coming together now.

Last weekend Adam and I put my new desk together, and I rearranged my bed and organized the space. I bought this adorable new 3x3 cube bookshelf in lieu of a dresser or vanity because what I really needed was more storage and surface space. I love the possibilities this unit provides — and there are so many ways to decorate it! I've already got my eye on several items to fill it with, so I thought I'd share some of my favorites with you.

I'm all about functionality since I have such a small space to work with now, which is why I've picked a lot of pieces that can double as storage either for jewelry or other little odds and ends. I love the mirrored tray and velvet bust for displaying some of my prettier necklaces and things, and the coral candle could be cleaned out and used for a trinket box when the candle is gone! And how cute would the wooden ampersand figure be spray painted gold and placed with photos of you and your S.O.? I love it.

What is your favorite piece on this list? Do you have tips for decorating in a small space?

P.S. the perfect home office, painting my bedroom and my new bed set

My favorites from the Lilly Pulitzer for Target collection

cocktail glasses / white candle holder / gold wine toppers / pillow / colored glasses / pink Essie polish / green Essie polish / breakfast tray / decorative bowls / chair / patterned glasses / hair ties / candle votive trio / pom-pom napkins / basket

When I first saw the previews of the Lilly Pulitzer for Target collection, I knew it was going to be fun. But when I finally got the full glimpse of it on Sunday, it was like a beachy heaven! Sadly, I wasn't able to buy any of it yesterday because I spent a litttttle too much money on all the friends and family sales this month and now I'm putting myself on a strict budget... I know a few of you are feeling me on that one!

Anyway, that won't stop me from lusting over all these gorgeous summer prints and colors. How great are these items for brightening up your whole home? Since I couldn't partake in all the crazy action, I put together all my favorite items here — in case they ever come back in stock!

What are your favorite items? Did you go to the collection opening yesterday? I'd love to hear your stories!

P.S. The perfect home office, favorite spring nail colors and the brights are back

On my mind: the perfect home office

storage boxes / file holders / chevron file folders / pencil bag / Kate Spade planner / desk / lamp

round accent table / pen holder / acrylic file box / geometric chair

Happy Monday lovelies! The sunny weather has returned to Iowa the last few days, which has been a much-needed mood lifter! Did everyone have a good weekend? Adam and I spent most of Sunday browsing Target and Bed, Bath and Beyond for new furniture for his apartment, and along the way I found the perfect desk (pictured above) for my room on sale at Target. It was the last one the store had in white, so I grabbed it fast! I had planned on buying one from Ikea, but this one was cheaper and had a much bigger drawer so I knew it was the one.

Finding the desk got me even more excited to start designing the "office" part of my bedroom makeover, so I decided to put together a wish list of some of the items I'm currently crushing on. Most of these are from Target and super affordable, like this adorable patterned chair for only $40!

I'm so excited to set up this new desk and get to work on filling it with fun new office supplies. It'll make blogging and working from home so much more fun to have an organized and colorful space!

Which items are your favorite? Do you have any office supplies you can't live without? I'd love to hear!

P.S. Tackling the closet, painting the town white and a cheery new bed set

Bedroom update: Tackling the closet

Progress has been slow on my bedroom project due to time/money constraints that I didn't expect this year (life — amirite?), but I'm (verrry) slowly getting adjustments made! A couple weeks ago I decided to tackle my dress/closet situation PLUS bringing the rest of my belongings back from my sister's place. It was a big project, but I've been very happy with the end result.

Bedroom update: a cheery new bed set

When we finished painting my bedroom a few weeks ago, I could not wait to hurry up and find a new bed spread to replace the plain brown one I'd been using. My mom picked it out for the spare room, and I was never a fan. The brown comforter was too big for my full-sized bed, and now it was just too dark for the clean white walls.

Update: Painting the town [white]

Last weekend, my mom and I ventured out to Home Depot to pick out the perfect white paint for my bedroom. It was harder than I thought, because comparing eight different shades of white starts to make your eyes go a little crazy after a few minutes. We got the right one eventually and purchased one gallon for my small room. But if you've been following along on Instagram, you know that didn't quite get the job done...

I'm redoing my room!

I moved in with my mom temporarily (ha) last summer to save money on rent when I got my internship in Des Moines, but then it turned into a job and I extended the stay. While I had planned to move out after graduation, the situation worked out better for me to take over renting her condo when she moves out next summer.

So when I moved in for my "temporary" stay, I just left most of her stuff in my bedroom and moved mine in on top of it. Can you say cluttered? Now that I'll be staying here for a while though, I've decided to make my bedroom my own and redecorate it completely. I am so, so excited. I'll be painting the dark tealish-green walls a clean white, buying my own furniture and introducing my own personal style all throughout. I can't wait! Here is what the room looks like currently:

On my mind: Non-boring white walls

Now that I'm getting ready to graduate and will soon be shopping for a new apartment, I've been thinking more and more about how I'll decorate it — and I've fallen hard for the white wall trend. I used to think all-white looked boring and unfinished, but there are so many beautiful ways to style it, and they all look so bright and clean.

And I really love the idea of statement furniture, rather than a whole matching set. It's a great way to add personality and variety.

My personal style has taken a much more minimalistic approach this year, and you can definitely see that creeping into my home decorating visions, too. These are a few of the looks inspiring me right now.

The new (80) million-dollar view in NYC

This is what I imagined living in New York City would be like at age 12. Gorgeous views of the New York skyline, a beautiful penthouse 96 stories high with fabulous designer furnishings. That's what I get for letting movies guide my judgments.

Of course, now I know that views like this one are only for the very (very, very) rich. I don't think I'll be living there anytime soon, but it's still fun to imagine. What would it be like to walk out of your bedroom in the morning to see the sun rise over the Empire State Building?

Maybe someday I'll know, but for now, I'll just enjoy my coffee from the third-floor balcony, with a beautiful view of the sun rising over Wal-Mart.

(Photo via Daily Mail)

Coffee table books

Before I got my Kindle, I hated Kindles. Not just Kindles; all e-readers. I love traditional books: the smell, the texture, the feeling of having something "real" in your hands. 

But then, one night, I wanted a new book, and I didn't want to wait. So I downloaded the Kindle app to my phone and then the book. A minute later, I was reading it. Hello, game-changer! I read it on the bus and before class, without having to add any extra weight to my already-sagging backpack. I loved it.

A year later, I still love e-books and all their convenience, but I love love LOVE the idea of decorative (and interesting) coffee table books. I'm not sure I'd like to house shelves full of books because they are such a pain when you're moving, but I think I can handle a small set of them...


Someday, when I finally have the time and budget to decorate exactly the way I want, a beautiful coffee table to decorate with quirky odds and ends is first on my list. Right now I'd display Humans of New York, Yes Please, The Great Gatsby, The Extraordinary Book of Useless Information and #Girlboss.   

What books would you (or do you) have on your coffee table? 

(Photo via The Every Girl)

Decorative pillows

I've never been much for extra pillows, because it seems like more work to make the bed, which I already don't take enough time to do. But I'm loving the look of one or two decorative pillows with bold prints and patterns. These are a few of my current favorites: 

As you probably noticed, they're all neutral colors. Like much of my wardrobe. Stay true to you, right?

What do you think? Do you decorate with pillows? What are some of your favorites? I'd love to hear!

(Photos via Sugar and Cloth, Joss & Main, Luvocracy, Anthropologie and Etsy)

No-closet storage solutions

If you've ever lived in a small apartment or college dorm, you know the struggles of having too much stuff for your closet — if you're lucky enough to even have a closet, that is.

I've seen a ton of improvised closets on Pinterest, and I absolutely love them. Even having my own closet, I'd love to get one of these clothing racks to showcase new pieces or to plan out the week's outfits.

I especially love the ones with shoe racks — when you splurge on a pair of gorgeous shoes, you don't want to hide them under your bed or behind a door, right?

The one above looks so modern and sleek; it's perfect for someone with a minimalist style and simple apartment.

The one above isn't exactly a closet, but it's definitely a beautiful way to create some wall storage if your closets are already full. The large round hooks are adorable.

P.S. Would love to have a closet big enough to have a vanity inside!

(Images via Glitter Guide, Urban Outfitters, Nordic Days, The Jew in J.Crew, Refinery29, and Muuto)