Decorazzi

Oh, how I want thee for my newly ordained "bar corner of happiness"

2010-05-24T12:36:00.000-07:00

Alek over at From the Right Bank is killing me softly this week with this fabu giveaway that I just signed up for. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH! I hope I win! This would SO make my little bar corner I'm working up in my mind (for release to the blogosphere this summer).

Check it: http://www.fromtherightbank.com/2010/05/giveaway-golden-bamboo-tray-table/

For Serious, people. What are you waiting for?

2010-04-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

I don't know why you're hesitating.....honestly.

It's not like I'm going to enter the sweepstakes for you!

Also, I hate this stupid blogger editor. I might have to take my busienss over to wordpress. Blogger, you suck. There, I said it. And I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Anyway, you have like a week and a half left to enter the sweepstakes to win the super cute Philips LivingColor Lamp.

This weekend I will finish moving, and begin setting up my new place and with it, I'll be creating instant atmosphere (especially cool since I'll have so much art that will need to be hung up, but in the meantime I'll have instant decor flair.

I'll take some pictures as promised. I hope it looks as good in the pictures as it does in person!!!!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

You Know You Want It: SWEEPSTAKES PEOPLE!

2010-04-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

You know you want it:

Check out the hottest new decor lighting item, that will literally allow to you change the room with the tap of a remote: http://www.coloryourworldsweeps.com/

From now until April 18th, you can enter to win this fabulous beauty. And, in case you're wondering how I know it's so hot? It's because they sent me one to test out! SWEET! While you're waiting to win it for yourself, you can follow my journey of trying it out in my fabulous new Seattle Apartment (that I'm still currently moving into, but no worries! I'm still taking this over to try out in the various rooms!

Below you see the shot from the kitchen, into the dining and living rooms. It looks small in this picture, but it's a pretty decent sized space.

Of course the 80's light is going. To be replaced with a chandeleir, ASAP. But I have to get the furniture in first!

Here it is fresh out the box!

Here's me getting all excited when it arrived at my office!

So, first up will be me putting it in the living room, when I get the couch in there, and also I think I'll try it in the entry way, when I get my console set up (all happening this weekend!)

Don't wait for my posts about how good it looks! GO WIN ONE PEOPLE!

This would look so good on my new apartment wall....

2010-03-24T10:19:00.001-07:00

In the spirit of the Spring Cleaning Move I'm making to my new place (stay tuned I took pictures and am going to post later this week), I found this hot little idea shared by Design*Sponge.

http://shopruche.blogspot.com/2010/02/diy-wall-decor-from-ruches-lookbook.html

What if I made these

2010-03-10T17:01:00.000-08:00

Is it wrong to assume I could make this?

Or this?

Because I want one of each for my new place, they'll be BFFs fo-eva!

What? Was it something I said??? Oh, riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. I'm moving.

What? You want pictures of the new place? Oh, no problem, coming up next week.

Sit tight, it's gonna be worth it.

(hippottoman and rhinottoman credit to Jonathan Adler's junion collection. Love 'em, hate the price.)

Yeah, probably.

2010-03-03T17:04:00.000-08:00

I may or may not have just ordered the following *HINT: I DID*

(Tall Saturday Pant in Shell) $19.99

(Herringbone field pant in Military green) $19.99

(Vintage Matchstick Cord in both Graphite - shown - and Eucalyptus) $19.99 each.

Why did I do this? Because I can, and because Spring is right around the corner, and in Seattle that means you can break out the vintage Burberry Trench she gave you, put away your Jcrew wool peacoat with Thinsulate, and start wearing colors other than denim and black.

Also, I deserve it.

Also, I'm losing weight from all the running prepping for the Seattle Rock n Roll half marathon, so I need some cute pants I can wear to work as we move towards Spring and Summer this year.

Plus, they were all on clearance. So whether or not they fit when I get them in the mail, I'll be busting ass in the gym (in the work out way - not the way where you don't want to stand next to me..... IF you know what I mean) to make it happen.

So unrelated and late, it's not even funny, but I'm still doing it

2010-01-13T12:26:00.000-08:00

I just saw this company, Need Supply Co., on someone else's blog (that'd be you, Erin) and I started fantasy shopping (totally legit, trust).

I am excited to look at clothes again since I'm back in training (that's right, I didn't stutter), for a half marathon at the end of June. I'm really excited, and am training with this fabulous character:

I have seen the following items I now require:

Cropped Cadet coat: DUH

Plaid Blouse: for the rainy days I'm still feeling sunny

Twilight Jacket: is SO Seattle, and so Siiri

Tis the Season

2009-11-06T13:14:00.000-08:00

I know, I really do know, how awful I've been about posting. It's not from lack of desire to post, trust.

I have about 10 things I would like to sit down and do lengthy posts about, and who knows, maybe I'll get a wild hair and do some this weekend. But I did want to tell you about something great that isn't being super promoted, but should be!

JCPenney's Angel Giving Tree Online

This is new for JCPenney I believe, at least I have never heard of it before.

Why am I telling you all about this?

Well, I'm SO glad you asked:

(shut up, you knew there was a list coming)

1. JCPenney is my dirty little secret. My grandpa Dick (my mom's dad) worked for Penney's for MANY years, in fact I think he retired from there. This gave my grandma Dot (my mom's mom) a lifetime discount to the store. Yes, a LIFETIME DISCOUNT. She had a credit card looking thing that seriously gave her some crazy lifer discount. I could barely contain myself when she took me there for my (belated) high school graduation present when I went to visit her my Freshman year of college. (She was in Eugene, OR, and I was going to Reed in Portland)

2. Even though I don't have her lifer discount (I know, sad it doesn't transfer down), I still go there because they have really sturdy clothes, that are both classic and trendy, that you can afford on ANY budget (just wait for my $.88 skinny jeans post later this month).

3. You are always going to hit a sale.

4. They just started a rewards program, and I already earned a $10 gift card that I promptly used to buy two cute sweaters (don't worry, post to come still).

5. They have awesome sales staff that are always helpful.

6. It's always empty so I feel like I have the whole store to myself.

7. They like to give back to local communities.

So, if you don't already have a charity in mind this year, you should really just check out the JCPenney's Angel Giving Tree Online and possibly consider donating. You can search for a certain area of the country or a type of person to give to.

It's a great cause, and you can be guaranteed they will receive something that is quality.

Doesn't giving feel GREAT?!

A Half Cup

2009-10-13T18:26:00.000-07:00

Hello decor world, please buckle your seat belts, because I finally got my food blog up and running. That's right. It might not pertain to you, interest you, or tempt you in the least.....but on the off chance you eat, cook, or do dishs (does that cover everyone?) you might want to take a peek.

www.aHalfCup.com

In the coming weeks, months and (god willing) years, I hope to take the "WORK" out of being in the kitchen, and put the skip in the step of all those who don't feel like they know what they're doing in the kitchen.

My philosophy is that when I cook, I really don't need to do much - let the food speak for itself, use simple preperation, and follow my instinct. Recipes and 5 course meals are for special ocassions, and there will be some along the way.

But lets start talking about how we cook each day, how we avoid doing dishes, and how we make 1 hour on a Sunday last for 4 meals over a full week.

If something doesn't taste so good while cooking, I just get out my half cup measure, and add whatever seems right. What that is differs every day, so dust off your Chanel apron (the one you had custom made to match the Chanel linens you inherited from your Gran), and come on over to A Half Cup. Coffee's on.

WHAT is wrong with me?!?!?!?!

2009-10-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

That is a REALLY good question, and frankly, one that would take wayyyyyyyyyy more time and energy than I think any of us really care to devote to answering.

However, there is, as my mother would say, "a reader's digest version."

Let me clarify: when I ask "What is wrong with me?" I mean "WHY have I not posted anything in a month and a half?"

The answer?

I have no idea. I think I got lazy reading everyone else's and was like "eh, that'll do." But I was so lazy I couldn't even point you here, here or even here....which is basically like oxygen to me.

I'm really sorry. Please forgive me. Also, I work, right? so there's that...... (you're not buying that excuse, are you?)

So here's a promise: I promise that I will post more frequently, unless something better, I mean, urgent (like watching everything I've Tivo'd in the past 6 months) comes up. Heh.

But really, there have been some great things going on out there that you should see. So in the next few weeks, I'll be sharing some awesome projects I've seen.

Also, I know I told you about all those projects I had started myself. Let's be honest: I have not started a single one of them. So sue me. Okay, please don't sue me. Now that the weather is getting craptastical, the "summer dining room" that was our carport is coming down, till next year, which means I'll have a work space to attempt doing some of this crap in, until the snow catches up with me (God willing, right?)

[NOTE TO SELF: go buy chains this weekend at Wal Mart while in Lake Chelan]

[QUESTION TO SELF: can I use chains with my Ford Explorer? I have 4 wheel drive, but we know what happened last year when I really depended on it: Sergio crapped out on me - Sergio is my black Ford Explorer. I will have to ask about using chains and 4 wheel drive]

Okay, right, so back to decorating stuff. Ummmmm, where were we? Right, I promise to work on my projects. I've got the following to do:

-strip and refinish that office chair I got for Paul, even though he told me he doesn't want it - even without seeing it, or letting me give a description

-strip and stain or paint cute entryway table I got on Freecycle (currently Barney purple with broken top)

-cover and fix elementary school cabinet that was supposed to be our china hutch that I've had for over a year, which houses a bunch of crap we don't want people to see. (yeah, cuz the sunshine yellow and orange doors and sides are totally camo)

-Store all my summer clothes (um, I didn't even take them out of storage, so why are they all over my bedroom floor?)

-Knit everything in sight:

-puff ball ottoman

-hat for Paul

-scarf I started 4 years ago, seriously, I'm not joking

-water bottle cover

-hat for little Jackson (our friends' newborn)

-Take a picture of Emily and I and put it in a damn frame once and for all (we have many empty frames all over the house, it's weird.)

-Buy a house.

Okay so that wraps it up!

WHAT?! Oh, you saw that last one? riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. Well, I've been himming and hawing for a year or so now, and I think it's really time for me to get serious about it. I think I'm one of those people that is in a situation to be able to buy, and if the price is right and the project looks good......you know what I always say! "I'll start that this weekend"

Oh! Also, one last note: I'll try to take pictures of Chelan this weekend to show you and gush over when I return, AND I am attempting to start my long overdue food blog, so if you have any name suggestions, I'm all ears people!

hugs!

Siiri

Happy Last Friday of summer

2009-08-28T10:05:00.001-07:00

Not to be a total Debbie Downer, but seriously, sad face, right?

So I thought I'd post some things that make me happy, and will make YOU happy:

Dino does Bainbridge. This was when we were puppysitting for Akash and Marissa. What a fun time!

St. Patty's Day Ri-guy. So precious!

Tiny Thatcher-poo. So good! Such a good pup!

My favorite: fudgesicle Ri-guy. I think this was his first one ever, and if I recall from Kate's blog post, he wasn't too pleased when she wouldn't let him have the whole thing. :) Shocker.

Okay, so I hope this cheers you up! It did for me, just as I was posting! We've got a big wedding this weekend, and we'll be all dressed up! I'll be sure to take fun decor related pictures of the venue, etc. (and clearly some pictures that are not decor related, but will be entertaining to say the least!)

Happy weekend,

Decorazzi

Project 1: Part 2, this office doesn't suck anymore, but still, it needs some help!

2009-08-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

I was just commenting on my Kat-mom's blog, When Girl Meets Science, because she had a post about a cute desk Kat wanted, and then I realized it's the desk that I installed in Paul's condo. So I went to send her the post about the before and after of the new desk situation and realized that I hadn't posted those pictures! Shame on me! So I popped in the disc that the pictures were on, only THEY WERE NOT THERE, BECAUSE I'M A FREAK AND DELETED THEM WITHOUT SAVING. way to go, Sampson, way to go.

So, continue to stay tuned, I must take pictures again, which means I'll have to clean that area up and pretend it's always clean, and take some good angle shots.

I promise to do it for real this time. Sorry.

HomeGoods StyleScope - I'm a Bohemian Casual

2009-08-27T12:46:00.001-07:00

HomeGoods StyleScope - I'm a Bohemian Casual

Posted using ShareThis

Yet again, another great find from the fabbies over at Design*Sponge. The whole site is really fun, and I'm in the process of going through it, so expect more fun info in the near future.

Also, I successfully picked up the entry way table and the chair from the Mercer Island guy yesterday, and can't wait to paint them!

Summer/Fall DIY projects

2009-08-25T10:51:00.001-07:00

Okay, so it's almost fall, and I have not yet painted the picnic table, even though the asparagus paint is sitting there waiting to be used! What's wrong with me? Well, I've been enjoying the Seattle summer! Who can blame me? It's been a glorious summer here, spotted with the occasional rain shower, like today.

I don't mind, it keeps things here clean!

One of my new favorite things has lead to TWO new pieces in my life that I can't wait to make over. The new favorite thing? Seattle Freecycle! WHAT? It's the best thing ever. Imagine the free section on Craigslist, but they email you the items so you don't have to go looking and you can choose what to take based on your neighborhood. And, best of all, EVERYTHING IS FREE!

"Our mission is to build a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources & eases the burden on our landfills while enabling our members to benefit from the strength of a larger community."

Bring it on.

The first new item, I'm picking up tomorrow after work is this sad little chair with mucho potential, from a fellow in Mercer Island. This is going to get a high gloss white paint job, with a sturdy and washable cushion (made from outdoor material). This is going to be Paul's new desk chair at the condo. I really think he's going to love it! It'll have a manly touch, but with old school class. Use your imagination, and stay tuned!

The second new item, also from the Mercer Island man, is this funky little side table. It's going to get a make over too, but not sure what color yet. It's going in our entry way at the Yakima house. I'm thinking white for now, just because the space is small, and I want to have the storage/keys/mail etc. drop but without losing visual space.

Okay, so I'm picking those up after work tomorrow, and taking them to my house so they can sit in the carport with the picnic table while I wait for a free day where I can paint them (I'm thinking this Sunday!)

I was right, plus, then there were two!

2009-08-13T16:03:00.000-07:00

Okay, so first, I get to say: I WAS RIGHT! about getting the Patricia Fields gloves for my birthday, and what's better? Even though usually when I get something like this that's even moderately fashion forward, Paul sometimes gives me the "what the hell is that?" look....or worse, we're watching something fashion related on TV and he'll say "God, that's ugly/awful/hideous." But this time he saw the gloves on my hands and said, "that's hot."

So SCORE, we both like them! Important since he bought them and will be seeing them on my hands ALL WINTER (which we all know lasts September to May here in Seattle).

Then, I scored another AWESOME bed frame on Craigslist (*heart*) for the condo this time.

It's a first cousin of the one I bought for my place, but with even better lines:

That's right, it's the Heimdal Queen sized bed from Ikea. And here's why it's so great:

1. minimal design, means it's pretty versatile

2. square headboard shape means I can make seasonal slipcovers for it

3. low footboard profile keeps the small room in the condo feeling pretty open still, won't tick Paul off

4. low footboard height won't bang Paul's feet since they hang off the end of the bed

5. metal finish is durable (paul proof), and slightly manly, so he won't feel like I'm "girling up the place" (not his words)

Stay tuned for before and after pictures

Happy birthday to me!

2009-08-12T10:20:00.000-07:00

YAY! So excting. NOT.

I was not jazzed to turn another year older, but my peeps pulled through:

-my coworker, boyfriend and sister conspired, and got my sister to surprise me with Riley Bruce for lunch on my birthday. I was SO SURPRISED! What a great way to spend my day!!!!! Thanks to Kate, Paul and Lauren!

-Paul took me to Crow. SO GREAT. go now. I'll wait.

-Kate, Nathan and Riley got me my ever-sought-after game: Hungry Hungry Hippos

-Paul got me Twist and Spout, a great hat, and a mystery gift that hasn't shown up yet, but I'm pretty sure it's this.

-Lauren got me Cafe Du Monde from New Orleans.

-My coworkers surprised me with a birthday gathering complete with singing, candles a card and cupcakes from New York Cupcakes.

Many numerous birthday wishes were sent my way.

All in all, a great day, minus the rain.

Thanks to all, it was a good one to remember. :)

Oh.Dear.God. Buy me this NOW

2009-08-12T10:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks again to the fabbies over at Design*Sponge, I found my new dream home, and it's in Brooklyn. Suitors, please line up according to pocket book size and handsomeness, and be ready to move here:

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/08/07/realestate/0809-deal-slideshow_index.html

Bring the outdoors in, and bring it all together

2009-08-06T12:04:00.000-07:00

Grace over at Design*Sponge just did a great DIY post on some homemade botanical prints, and I had to share it with you because I just really love them, and if you have empty frames laying around at home like I do, then it's time to GET CRACKIN' and put them to use.

Best thing of all? It's free if you have the frames already and it's so satisfying and very little actual work involved.

Enjoy!

Stop stalking me, Sunset Mag!

2009-08-06T10:45:00.000-07:00

Sunset magazine seems to be stalking me and my summer ideas.

I just showed you my top faves of their out door dining rooms, and now they're showing lanterns you can make......um, anyone think that's a familiar concept they've seen here at Decorazzi this summer? yeah, thought so.

Whatever, I'm no hater, I love some of the takes they have on summer lanterns, so enjoy!

Cute cluster. Me likey!

Then you can mod podge some tissue paper on the outside and create stained glass versions, great embellishment idea for the advanced crafter (easy to do, hard to make look good).

Sunset's version of MY lanterns. :)

Chandelier of mason jars. I would like to see this at night to decide if I really like it.

Tasty outdoor dining rooms

2009-08-06T10:27:00.000-07:00

Oh baby! So the heat has finally subsided for a week or so here in Seattle, and with it comes my yearning for another steamy summer night that we can all spend in my outdoor dining room. And I guess I'm not the only one that's been feeling this way. Sunset Magazine online just published 20 hot hot HOT summer outdoor dining rooms. So I ask you, which came first, the Decorazzi, or the Egg, er, Sunset Mag?

Okay, I'll shut up now, here's the goods kids:

This is obvi my speed, with the same rustic take on the picnic table...which for me has seats that are too rough, so I'll need to work on that!

Modern, with a touch of throw back in the chairs, and loving the industrial edge with the wall.

This is TOTALLY my kind of garden of eatin' (sorry the play on words is bad, I know). Love the slightly mossy wall and fountain.

So chic and eco-friendly too.

Love the seamlessness of the indoor/outdoor transition.

This is perfect for a dinner party that ends up having more guests than you thought! You can send the overflow outdoors, or round up another table and table cloth (or in my house, we use patterned bed flat sheets, no one ever can tell!

This is very romantic. I can already see a good "triple dinner date" at a friends house, with spicy morracan (sp?) food and sultry Ella and Etta on in the background as we eat our honey lavander ice cream and watch the fire flies (not that we have them in the NW, but a girl can dream).

Perfect, for a quiet evening for two, listening to the frogs as the sun goes down and the moon comes up.

These are some good seating options I can get behind. Get it? Behind? sorry.

Great for a day at the home spa with your favorite friends, sipping bellinis and swapping gossip.

This feels like a Spanish garden in the middle of Seville. No one knows it's there, but you and your friends. You're in the heart of it all, but completely secluded!

EXTRA EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! Tablesetting competition!

2009-07-23T16:02:00.001-07:00

(taken from Rosana's post on her blog about the contest)

Okay, I can barely even type this, I'm so excited. And I'll ellaborate more later, but I just found out that my favorite local (Seattle) based tablewares design firm, Rosana Inc., is putting on their 3rd annual Tablesetting design competition.

Here's the link to Rosana's blog (Which I just found today and am peeing my pants over), and the rules for the contest. I'll be submitting mine, but must take some careful consideration as to the theme and execution, and will most definitely be enlisting the help of my super secret decor mavens: my florist sister, Kate,

(seen here with the ever precious Riley)

and everyone's favorite gay, Adam, aka Poods.

(Which you remember from my recent project of redoing Paul's office...stay tuned for another update and post on that)

Remodel your bathroom recently? Live in Seattle? Wanna be on HGTV?

2009-07-22T10:10:00.000-07:00

Great, then listen up: I just got this info from a list serve I'm on here in Seattle. If you live in the greater Seattle area, have recently remodeled your bathroom, and want to be on HGTV to show it off, read the following:

From: Brooke Schledewitz [mailto:bschledewitz@highnoonentertainment.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 1:43 PM
To: gazette@georgetownneighborhood.com
Subject: HGTV Needs the Help of Your Neighborhood Association!

Good Afternoon!My name is Brooke Schledewitz and I work for the show, "Bang For Your Buck²on Home and Garden Television (HGTV). We are now in production of our 2ndseason and are looking to bring the show to the greater Seattle, WA area.I'm hoping for your help in locating homeowners who may be interested inhaving their recently remodeled master bathroom featured on our show!I am contacting you to see if you know of anyone in your neighborhood whohas completed this type of renovation and/or if you could pass thisinformation on to the people in your community.I have attached a press release for you to take a look at. If you have anyquestions or need any additional information please feel free to call ore-mail me. We are looking to select our homes within the next couple weeks,so time is of the essence.Thank you very much for your help!

Sincerely,

Brooke Schledewitz
HGTV's "Bang For Your Buck"
High Noon Entertainment
Phone: 303.712.3168
Fax: 303.486.3881
bschledewitz@highnoonentertainment.com bschledewitz@gmail.com

Before and After: Bedroom makeover, almost

2009-07-20T10:50:00.000-07:00

Okay, the next update I have for you is on my bedroom, which as you recall I was looking for a new frame for quite some time!

To jog your memory, we started with this:

In which this was used as my bedframe:

And then I bought this on Craigslist (this is the picture they had posted):

And we ended up with this new set up in my bedroom (albeit not totally complete as I have curtains to hang, but I don't know if I care enough right now to hang them......

This frame makes the bed much more sturdy, and give the room more space visually even though there's less actual space.... it picks the bed up off the floor, and now you don't sink down when you get in and out of bed in the morning.

Before and After: Carport/outdoor dining room Phase 1 complete

2009-07-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

Hello, my faithful followers!

This weekend was Emily's (my roommate and best friend from childhood) 27th birthday, and she planned a girls night at our house to celebrate. We were very excited, and my end of the preparation was to get our carport to phase 1 completion of it's "outdoor dining room" endeavor.

To jog your memory, here's what we started with:

And after many days of prep work, building my vintage mason jar lanterns (which took so much arm strength, I think I got my upper body work out taken care of for the next two weeks), lots of de-cob-webbing, sweeping, nailing pilot holes and installing cup screws for said lanterns, our center piece lighting and privacy curtains, we finally ended up with this fabulous scene:

I haven't painted the picnic table yet, but hope to in the next month or so. For now, it's a great place to relax with friends. The roses are from our three rose bushes in the front yard, the picnic table as you recall was a recent estate sale find, and the table cloth is a scrap I picked up at the fabric outlet in SoDo.

I hope this before and after inspires you to take something old and make something fabulous!

Out door dining room

2009-07-10T10:25:00.000-07:00

We're gonna have in, in our otherwise useless carport (which was SERIOUSLY made for a Model T, I'm not even kidding).

This weekend I'll be taking pictures and transforming our carport from BLAH, to FABULOUS!

Stay tuned for pictures. I'm going to take my estate sale picnic table find (a $22 investment, well worth it) and some estate sale bamboo rolling shades (a $3 gem if I do say so myself) and create some sweet lanterns (also estate sale goodies at $.25 each, and they're realy vintage).

You can see the Seattle skyline from our carport, and we're getting geared up for Emily's 27th birthday party (next weekend, girls only), so it's the perfect time to get it all set up! We're dividing the tasks and tackling the project. I'm in charge of sanding, cleaning and painting the table (might not paint just yet, depends on what's available to me), hanging the shades, making the lanterns, installing screws and hanging lanterns.

Em's in charge of sweeping out the carport, which is my death task, I hate it. With the passion of a thousand winds.

So, stay tuned for another great before and after!

I just got myself a SJP bed. Eat your heart out.

2009-07-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, I have an announcement to make (and it's too early to make it, but I'm going to anyway):

I just scored an SJP modern vintage bed on Craigslist, and am picking it up this weekend. SO STOKED!

Here's a picture of her bed in Elle Decor (thanks Shelterrific!):

And here's the bed I'm getting from Christine on Craigslist:

I can't wait to create a new home for it, since I've never had what I would consider a "Grown Up" bed before, I'm really quite excited! I haven't totally decided exactly what I'm going to do yet in the room, for now I'm just excited to actually get my hands on it! Yay!

Stay tuned for pictures of a before and after of my room!

Road Runner

2009-07-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

This is not a design post. It's not a decor post. It's a post about running. And that's what I'm doing.

I've been doing a running program, a series of podcasts (audio file like a song but you can record your voice, for those of you who aren't familiar), where a man, Robert Ullrey, is my personal running trainer and buddy.

The program is 9 weeks long and called "Couch to 5K in 9 weeks." Today I will start week 7, and I'm feeling pretty darn good! So, realizing that the program will be over soon, I thought "I should find a 5K in the near future, so I have some other goal to work towards." See, doing the audio program was the goal in and of itself. And now that I'm almost done with the program, I want to keep going with a goal that will help me keep the pace and continue to get in better shape.

So I found the Irongirl Seattle, which hosts different levels of events, such as a 5K, 10K and marathon. I signed up for the 5K which is at Greenlake, on September 12th.

I already paid, so now I really do have to stick with it, because more than being out of shape, I hate wasting money!

The Irongirl website had it's own 5K prep course running program, and it's 8 weeks long, which is exactly how many weeks I'll have after I finish the current program, before my race.

If any of you are interested, here are the links to all the info (you can click the sentence or see the full link after that, they both go to the same location):

Couch to 5K podcast series: http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/podcasts/podcasts.html
Or you can get them straight off of iTunes.
Robert Ullrey (the guy who does the podcasts) website: http://web.mac.com/robert_ullrey/iWeb/Robert/Running%20Blog/Running%20Blog.html
Irongirl Seattle: http://www.irongirl.com/Events/Seattle.htm

Anniversary dinner = awesome

2009-06-24T09:45:00.000-07:00

So Paul surprised me with a wonderful dinner last night at Seattle's own Chez Shea. And, seriously, OMG, it was amazing. He totally took one for the team by taking me to a fancy French restaurant because, let's be honest, he had to eat another dinner after we got home just so he wouldn't pass out from hunger. But I loved it. And he said that made it totally worth while.

If you haven't been to Chez Shea, GO. NOW. seriously. What are you waiting for? Get off your chair and make a ressy now for tonight. SO GOOD. the mood, music, atmosphere, food, staff, all was amazing. I decided it's our new spot.

Pictures will come for sure, after I get them uploaded from Paul's camera...which I forgot today.

Also, we exchanged presents after dinner, and we both totally scored! I got the 8 piece All-clad Limited Edition set you see above (it's annodized, and they're only making a limited number of those sets, so I'm super lucky to have it!). I'm drooling just THINKING about what I'll make first. This cookware will last me a lifetime, so I'll never have to buy pots or pans again.

Paul also lucked out, because I bought him the top of the line roof rack system from Thule.

(This is what it will look like on the focus....I just googled "Thule roof rack on Focus," and this is what came up, which is weird, because it's exactly Paul's car, color and all)

After many, many months of trying to source that s**#&^, I finally broke down and bought it all from REI. The upshot of course being that they'll install it and if anything goes wrong, we can bring it back there. He's stoked for using it this summer for camping (think roof box), and this winter for skiing (he can now take 3 friends, put all 4 sets of skis on the roof and everything else in the trunk!)

So, yay for both of us. We had a great time, and I think as each year passes, and we continue to grow up, and grow together, our life together continues to get better and better. We are so very lucky!

I love love!

(Okay, enough of the barfy mushy talk. I'm done now. Thanks for listening!)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to US

2009-06-23T13:25:00.000-07:00

Well, it's already here, and I can't believe another year has passed! Today Paul and I celebrate our 4 year anniversary (of our first date).

I just couldn't be happier. He makes me a better person when I'm around him, and he makes me want to be a better person when I'm around others! He sent the most fragerant (sp?) bouquet of red red RED roses and white white WHITE lilies, my faves.

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy, while I enjoy the flowers in my office.

Tomorrow, I'll tell you where we went for dinner, and what we gave each other as gifts!

At a wedding of some family friends, July 2007.

A great trip to Vancouver, BC. As usual, with coffee in hand from our favorite coffee shop, which of course I can't remember the name of right now.....I'm obviously over-caffinated, and Paul is under-caffinated. I think it's right after our 3 days in Whistler during April of 2007.

At my favorite Seattle restaurant, Purple Cafe, for my surprise 25th birthday party. Paul did such a great job, I was SO surprised, I cried. that's me, crying, but smiling. August 2007.

Out and about with Em, on a Friday night at Chapel, in Seattle, April 2009.

I think our second white water rafting trip, so must be on the Skykomish River, circa May 2007.

This past Chirstmas season, 2008, getting our tree out of the forrest. This is Paul's tree, which turned out to be really curvy, and not in a good way. But it had it's Charlie Brown charm.....that is, until one day it keeled over and died on us, while we were gone, and came home to the tree fallen over, ornaments everywhere, and water soaking into the hard woods. Good times.

Another great trip to Vancouver, BC, sometime around September of 2008? Having dessert and coffee at an Italian Jazz club in the Gaslamp District.

At Rachel's wedding, September 2007, in Massachusetttes. We match, it's true.

At a Oregon Ducks game, at Autzen Stadium, sometime around October 2007, before Kate and I went to China for the first time. GO DUCKS!

New Years 2008/2009.

With my siblings, Jessica and (her husband) Brian, New Years eve, 2008/2009.

At our wonderful friends, Lincoln and Corina's wedding, last July (2008). Now they're expecting to be parents soon!

At a wedding earlier this winter, circa February 2009, at the beautiful New Castle Golf Club

just recently at a wedding, June 2009

In our second city, Vancouver, BC, on one of many trips, enjoying Stanley Park. circa 2006

Build-design off the grid

2009-06-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

Hey there. So I wanted to bring a new topic to the table here at Decorazzi. I have been discussing home building with my dad, who's an architect by education and trade. I passed an article to him from the Willamette Weekly (a local Portland, OR paper).

The article was focusing on renewable energies and green building.

My dad's response was very thought-provoking, and I thought all of you savvy readers would find it interesting as well. Here's his response to the article about heating a home with a hair dryer:

"I had the chance to read that article called "Futurehaus" in the Willamette Weekly that Pat referenced me.

It's a good article, but the basic method that the young architects are promoting consists of a double-walled enclosure, with an energy efficient exterior shell insulating and weather-protecting a conventional inner shell of standard wood frame construction; double the shell and double the expenses as a result. Cost will soon put the damper on this method, in spite of any perceived or real government and/or industry incentives or tax breaks.These guys are working within standards and codes now prevailing and are apparently doing a good job of it.

The problem is, the standards and codes they have to deal with are based on conventional and long-standing construction techniques that building officials and engineers are accustomed to dealing with; there is no standard existing nor engineering method established for the use of alternative construction methods, used elsewhere all over the world, now for thousands of years...that method, among others is routinely referred to as "adobe".

Mother nature has provided for us very well; our problem is, we ignore her too much and do it our own way too often.

The use of adobe was the first and still remains the most common way of providing housing all over the world. However, the U.S. Testing agencies, like the ASTM (American Society of Testing Materials), have never commissioned the analysis or testing of adobe buildings to determine their values for providing for compression and tension resistance using these simple construction methods and for this reason, adobe consruction is not recognized as an acceptable building system in the codes; the why of it is probably immersed in the politics and lobbyists protecting the staus quo of American industry for profitability reasons, pure and simple. The result of this is that local building departments will not accept it since they have no way of monitoring it to standards that don't exist.

Here's why that is a bad idea:

Adobe is an all natural, locally available (as in, on your building site) material that is unsurpassed in providing insulation for warmth in the winter and cooling in the summer...no material does this better, and I mean by a long, long ways adobe is self-finishing on the exterior (with an additive commonly found in the country, cow pies!) with a final finish coat that is impervious to weather; reapplication is a snap and is done no more often than one repaints a wood-sided house
adobe is self-finishing on the interior (with a modification of the standard adobe mix, no cow pies!) with a final finish coat that provides a hard interior finish similar to painted plaster or sheetrock adobe is naturally resistive to compressive forces, meaning it can bear substantial weight; tension is another story and it is here where we need tested standards adobe can be constructed with all power, lighting, HVAC and other utilities located within the walls, per standard construction methods there's nothing cheaper than dirt, especially when you already own it, assuming you already own your lot; constituencies in the soil are easily tested on site and any deficiencies in the existing soil can be augmented and brought to the site for achieving the proper mix adobe flooring is among one of the best floor systems available; yes, dirt floors can be made hard and shiny and will take wax finishes and patterns and colors may be incorporated as well. This means that the floors are also insulative.

Adobe is perhaps the easiest of all materials to maintain; if a gouge in a wall or floor should occur, the adobe is simply re-hydrated and patched with...more adobe! Patches done correctly are also invisible, therefore, no waste is incurred due to replacement activities. This applies to either interior or exterior damage/replacement I am sure I am leaving some points out, but for the sake of brevity...So what does all this mean?

It means that adobe is super cheap to build with; the exterior and interior finishes are already included in the material...there's no sheetrock, wallpaper, siding, insulation, structure, framing, building wrap or membranes...the only thing it has in common with current systems is the incorporation of windows and doors. Interior trim and built-ins can be formed with adobe during the wall construction...things like benches, mantles, chair rails, picture rails, shelving, countertops...the list is endless. Adobe can also accommodate standard light fixtures, cabinetwork, appliances and washroom fixtures...in short, anything a standard frame house can accommodate, abdobe can too.

I believe adobe will be U.S. standard in the years to come; the way things are going with cost, it will soon be the only available, affordable option for most Americans. Now you know why I want to build my off-the-grid retirement abode out of adobe...hey, that makes it an adobe-abode!"

**If you have any questions about the ideas or opinions above, please feel free to list them in the comments, directed towards my dad, and I'll pass them along. When I get his responses, I'll create a follow up post, or send them back directly to you.

Another great idea.

2009-06-19T14:48:00.001-07:00

Hello, Sampson! Anyone home?! Apparantly not, because I have totally been thinking "I really need a bag for my yoga mat, something that I can attach to my gym bag or that has a pocket or something...." but I am toooooo cheap to buy anything.

Enter the obvious: a knit sack, basically a really long hat. Add draw string to the bottom (where you would start the long hat, it would be open, so you could thread the draw string through that first row of stitches). then either add a knit strap, or a couple of caribeaners (sp?) to either end and clip that bad boy to the strap of my gym bag.

DONE!

and that's why they pay me the big bucks, Ladies and Gents.

I'll be signing autographs for the next 10 minutes, and they're $20 a piece. Now no pushing and don't talk to Ms. Sampson.

Thank you and good night!

THIS is what I'm going to do!

2009-06-19T14:31:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm bummin' around on the blogs today, and hit up one of my local faves, Shelterrific, and they linked to this great idea, called a Puff, over at this hyper-cute blog called "Pickles," (why didn't I think of that cute name?)

Here's what it looks like:

I have a TON (literally, it's so heavy I have two bankers boxes full) of inherited yarn from various sources. And I have been thinking about what to do with it all. I love to knit but I don't want 20 million scarves, and let's be honest, although I'm sure I can knit lots of patterns, I'm never going to finish anything that is more complex than knit 2, pearl 1, so this is a perf project for me!

I am so excited to get started, because this is a project that would yield a product useful in all seasons! I can see these as extra seating in the house, and if Emily and I ever get our crap together and actually create our Morrocan lounge, these would be a great addition, in various colors. Also, if we do outdoor movie night at my place, we can bring these out on the big Mexico blankets and they'll be the perfect pillow/seat!

But, I'm getting ahead of myself, as I don't know how long this will take to actually knit. And I have to source the duvets to go inside, so that's an additional expense, although maybe I can find some at a thirft store and wash them. They can be ugly as sin, afterall, they'll be covered up!

Here's the directions:

What we used:

Eskimo, 18 balls (Or yarn suitable for US #13 needles)Acrylic yarn would probably be a really good alternative, as it´s a piece of furnitureUS #19 circular needles2 cheap duves (feather and down)

How we did it:

Cast on 35 stitches using three threads.Knit the garter stitch until you´ve knitted all the balls, and there is just enough yarn left to asseble the stool.

You now have ONE rectangular piece.Cast off loosely. Assemble the short sides (35 stitch side) as neatly as you can.Assemble the first long side. This is supposed to be the top or the bottom of the stool. Put the needle through the end stitch of every second row and tighten, tighten, tighten! Repeat on the rows in between and tighten until there is no whole in the middle. Stuff the duves into the stool. We tried to make a ball of the duves before we stuffed it.Assemble the other end in the same manner as the first.And there you go! Your first knitted furniture perhaps?

We're baaaaaaaaaaa-aaaaaaaaaaaackkkkkk!

2009-06-17T10:55:00.000-07:00

That's right kids, it's the return of the Tawny Frogbeak. And this time, they're not screwing around, straight to the awkward cuteness.

(I know this isn't something that fits within my blog's scope, but I don't even care. I have a huge place in my heart for these little guys)

Now, stare at this cute little guy while I rob you blind. He's SUCH an accompliss!

Another flattering blog award

2009-06-16T11:07:00.000-07:00

YAY! I just got word that I've been awarded another flattering blog recognition award by the precious art fairy over at Tinkalicious!

Here's my award:

The "One Lovely Blog Award" is awarded by fellow bloggers to blogs that strike your fancy or approach a new, fun topic.

Many thanks to Tinkalicious for this wonderful honor! I'm glad you are enjoying Decorazzi, and it's notes like yours that keeps me motivated to continue posting my thoughts and ideas!

-Siiri

Oh, the joys of home ownership

2009-06-16T10:26:00.000-07:00

While I don't technically own my own home right now, my wonderful boyf, Paul, does. He owns this sweet little condo right at the cusp of downtown Seattle. He just passed the two year mark on the purchase, and on the whole, things have gone pretty well at the condo.

There have been the occassional issue, like the dishwasher overflowing the kitchen with soap suds (apparently you have to pre-wash the dishes and make sure there's no liquid soap left on any dish, because the dishwasher has an attitude problem), or like when we realized that the wiring for the lights and fans in the bathroom was not only messed up, but the jerks cut major corners by wiring the fan and heat lamp together, but accidently wired the fan to the regular lights (idiots).

So this past weekend I was in Bellingham helping my sister, Kate, with a wedding she had. We delivered all the beautiful flowers on Sunday morning/afternoon. As we got back into the car, I called Paul to check in, only to find out that there was some major plumbing leak under the kitchen sink.

Paul sent me some pictures/videos of the situation. Lucky for us, the leak only existed when you turned the sink on, and was coming from the drain pipe. It could have been MUCH worse, really.

So I drove back down to Seattle, checked it out, and sure enough we could tell the mess was coming from the drain (if the smell didn't give it away. GOD! talk about wrank)

This what Paul discovered when he went to take the trash out. The trash can was sopping wet, and stinky (he said "Babe, it's got to bad if even I think it stinks.")

Here's some of the nastyness coming down the wall, see that odd, rubbery looking white compound? Yeah, that's what the subcontrators called a "joint." I think they were smoking a joint when they put this together.

So basically, what happened is this: The subcontractor that did the kitchen build out cut some major corners. This is not even REMOTELY close to being up to code. The drain pipe coming out of the wall (concrete walls and floors) is metal. It's an 1.5" round. The drain coming out of the sink/disposal is made of PVC pipe. It's also 1.5" round. The metal pipe has threadings on it, and a metal nut at the end, which you would use to secure the drain pipe to the wall pipe, if you were using all metal. They butted the PVC pipe up against the wall drain pipe, and squished the rubber putty around the two pipes.

I swear, that's really what they did. The pipes are the same size, so it's not like one fits into the other one, creating a seal or anything. They just put the two pipes up against each other and covered it with some goo.

What really pissed me off is that after all was said and done, I fixed it for $6.43, two trips to Home Depot (where I met my new best friend, Larry, their plumbing expert), and 3 hours of diagnosis, labor and running around. That's all it took, and I know very little about plumbing (although clearly more than the clowns that did the job in the first place).

Of course, this was not exactly an entry level project, but I was not the least bit scared of ruining anything, afterall, their cockamamey set up lasted the last two years, so honestly I couldn't do worse!

Since I know how to measure and cut out the dry wall, shut off the water main, and employ common sense, I was good to go! I feel really accomplished, Paul is super relieved (and who wouldn't be? That's a huge bullet we dodged by catching it early and fixing it ourselves), and we're using the fan to dry out the soggy MDF and drywall back there (at least the portion we can see....but under the sub floor is concrete, so no worries of passing it on to the floor below us).

Here's a video of the final result:

I wish I was 6 again,

2009-06-11T11:22:00.000-07:00

because if I was, then I could use this RAD toothfairy kit.

Unfortunately, the only way I'm going to loose teeth again is poor hygene or a bar fight. Short of those two options (and really not wanting to have to go through either in order to use this kit) I think I'll buy for the Ri guy:

Yes, this is really him, and yes, he is really this cute...thanks to my sister, Kate, and her family blog, I got to post this cutest pic from our time in Lake Chelan over Memorial Day weekend.

Now, go lose some teeth people!

I WON! The Lemonade Stand Award!!!!!

2009-06-10T09:46:00.001-07:00

That's right kids! I won the coveted Lemonade Stand Award!

I have been watching this coveted award make its way around the design blog community for the past few months, and it's been really exciting to see it be awarded to some of my favorite blogs!

One such blog is the reason I now have the honor. Alek, over at From the Right Bank to the Left Coast, emailed me this morning to tell me that she awarded me the Lemonade Stand Award, and I couldn't be more excited.

Here's the criteria:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate 10 blogs that show gratitude or great attitude or both.

3. Link your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link your post to the person who gave you the award.

So, without further ado, here is my list of nominees:

David Lebovitz of David Lebovitz

Megan, Rachel and Didi of Green is Sexy

Michael of Herbivoracious (a local Seattle foodie)

Molly from Orangette (a local Seattlite!!!)

Lauren of the fabuluous Pure Style Home

Scented Glossy Magazines (I still don't know the identity of this masked avenger)

The new Mrs. over at Whorange

Anne of The City Sage

The brains behind SeeSaw Designs

The whole gang over at Shelterrific

To all of you, thank you for the countless laughs, recipes, outfit and room ideas, and of course hours upon hours of time I've spent enjoying your thoughts, ideas, rants and raves. I heart each of you!

Now, go on out there, and spread the Lemonade Stand Award to your top 10!

Huggin' it out,

Siiri

Yum and awesome

2009-05-28T14:07:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm in week 3 of my "Couch to 5K" running program, and it's going really well. And of course I'm doing my best to eat well, without killing myself. Over the long weekend, I kept my alcohol intake to 1 glass of wine, and 1 mimosa. Not bad for 4 days at the beach. I also only had 4 onion rings and 1/2 a raspberry shake when we hit up the classic Lakeview Drive In (which is a tradition, and far be it for me to stand in the way of tradition).

So this week, I'm working really hard to keep the momentum going. I went to Safeway today for lunch, to grab a bag salad. You may have seen their new-ish brand, Eating Right. They have really got the basics down, and now have some fun snacks that are not at all bad for you.

So I grabbed a bag of the awesome (and my new favorite snack of summer) Sour Cream and Onion Soy Crisps.

Oh god, are they good! You can have 17 of the delicious and tasty rounds, for a mere 110 calories! WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT?! I know, right?!?!?!

And, what's even better is that there's 7 grams of protein in each serving, and only 15 grams of carbohydrates. Plus, you're getting the obvious benefit of the soy, with only 3 grams of fat.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE, SOY CRISPS?

They have like 5 flavors, but so far I've only got the sour cream and onion.

Oh yeah, there's also 2 grams of fiber. and they're only like $2.19 a bag. and there's 3.5 servings per bag.

Suck it, chips, I'm dating someone new, maybe you're heard of him, his name is Soy Crisps.

Don't punch me in the neck with these, please.

2009-05-27T14:58:00.000-07:00

So, I might have to get the following to match that rad coffee cup I showed you last week.

Here's my thought: I use the brass knuckle coffee cup in the morning, in case someone tries to talk to me before I've had a cup. ( you remember, I'll neck punch them, then get a cup of joe to really start the morning off right) and then I'll use this brass knuckle wine opener for those days when I have a bad day and really want to enjoy a glass of wine after work with my roommate (in this instance, I'll protect myself from any further infuriating conversations on the way to the wine bottle by fending off potential haters with corkscrew)

I know this seems harsh, but hey, I'm not the one who made it. I'm just capitalizing on someone elses awesomeness.

Big thanks to the kids at SeeSaw Designs for posting this piece of great work.

get your SLAW together!

2009-05-27T14:55:00.000-07:00

Or salad. whatever.

I was catching up on my 40+ blogs that I follow (what?!) and came across a great little artcle that led me to "The best salad name" (check out Cheap, Healthy, Good).

Had to share:

bowlful of chlorophyll and awesomeness which you can get the recipe from as well, thanks to Apartment Therapy, which I dually love alongside the rest of by blog obsessions.

Siiri and Lauren's Memorial Day list of things we can't stand: Part 1

2009-05-22T14:19:00.000-07:00

Puking
Fingernails down the chalkboard/knife on plate
Teeth on fork dragging noise
Socks with sandles
Men with ponytails
Bald men with lower hair ponytails
Bumber stickers
DB's that wear sunglasses at night or inside
Fannypacks
Patchwork leather jackets
Inappropriate shoe:clothing match-up (ie.: suit with tennis shoes)
Topless, sweaty lawn mowing beer bellies
People that walk down the street while smoking
Misdialled fax machines screaming in my ear
People that throw away something recycleable, when the recycling bin is RIGHT next to the trash can
Rats
Bumbin' base in a car that is so loud, when they pull up next to me at a stop light, my ear drums burn in vibration
Ill manicured facial hair
Long toenails
People that don't wave "thank you" after you let them merge in front of you

And another thing!

2009-05-21T12:20:00.000-07:00

So in my house and at the condo, we have doors that sometimes need stopping! Like when we come back from Costco with arm loads of stuff, and we're running between the car and the lobby, then the lobby and the elevator, then the elevator and the hallway, and finally the hallway and the front door of the unit. (Phew! I'm out of breath just thinking about it!) These "Tube" door stops would be great for that, because they'll hold any door, they're small so I can put them in my car, purse or pocket, when needed, and they're COLORFUL so you wouldn't forget you put it there (unlike those ulgy old doorstops you remember from Sunday School, libraries or hospitals).

Then, for the screen door at the house, and other party like situations, I'd want something more design oriented, that is a bit whimsicle (sp? sorry), and old school, to fit with my eccletic style:

Like this hot little number, from Design Within Reach (or without reach, God, who's paying $100 for a doorstop again? remind me of where they live, so I can go steal this from their rich front porch).

I'm making that knot myself, and I'm doing it this weekend, with the help of my Eagle Scout boyfriend, and handyman brother in law. (Sorry guys, you're knot off the hook this weekend! ha Ha, get it? know? hook? yeah....................)

This would do nicely.

2009-05-21T12:07:00.001-07:00

I just saw this fab French industrial book case that I could SO easily repro on my own.
I was reviewing the extensive and wonderful "book storage roundup" which is offered by Design*Sponge, but I was referred by Jamie over at i suwanee.

This could be a cool alternative to Paul's condo book storage, and it could go behind the chair I want to put there (for additional company seating). And since it has massive casters, it would build consistency with the desk I'm going to build (that drafting table I have, but I'm going to replace the saw horses with HON 2-drawer filing cabinets with commercial casters on the bottom for height and mobility, and of course a bit of manliness.

I'll punch your lights out. If you don't give me coffee.

2009-05-20T14:27:00.000-07:00

Funny but true, if I'm in a grumpy morning mood, (which only happens on mornings where I wake up, so that's only 100% of the time really), I need a steaming cup with cream and sugar.

And now I can have a mug that says that, without necessitating me either:

1. talking to you

2. punching you in the face

Thanks, Karich Design.

pain is: squeeky metal hollywood bedframe

2009-05-19T16:31:00.000-07:00

Get out of my face with your stupid, ugly, loud and dumb bed frame.

I have a dumb Hollywood frame for my bed, and so does Paul. Yes, it beats having it on the ground, but by such a small margin that I can't even show you with my fingers.
I have been searching for the perfect bed frames, one for the condo: manly, urban, and most importantly Paul proof*, and a pretty one for my house.

I am still searching. There was a close call, but then I figured he'd be able to somehow break it, just by looking at it. So I decided against it. He's like the Chuck Norris of furniture.

If anyone has any ideas, please dump them in my lap, before my skull collapses from lack of good bed options.

In other news, my bed can be pretty, and made of anything short of tissue paper or toothpicks. I have been debating bed concepts for a while, but basically I'm stuck between a white canopy bed, or a sleigh bed, or an old wrought iron bed. (BTW: so sick of people misspelling that word on Craigslist).

I have not even found a picture that would come close to describing this for you, but I'm sure you have an imagination. So get to work, mommy's tired.

Help me before I make one. We don't need another project around my house.

*"Paul proof" is a term I have created to mean: indestructable, unbreakable, made of nuclear strength metal, must crush with a the power of a thousand anvils in order to dent.

You're Welcome

2009-05-19T14:21:00.001-07:00

You need to know about this:

Fyndes.com

Because of this, this and this.

You're welcome.

Decorate your face - with powdered sugar

2009-05-19T12:19:00.001-07:00

Okay, this is a quick one, to be followed up later with pictorial evidence. so stay tuned.

Recently, I was catching up on a food blog I love, Herbivoracious (please check out Michael's blog, he's a fellow foodie and Seattlite and we swap food info). He posted a great post (with pictures) about what he calls Dutchbabies.

Of course I had to correct him by saying that when we were growing up, we had them on special sundays, but they're called Baby Dutchmen! (duh! although I have to admit, even my Uncle Jeff said he thought they were Dutchbabies. This will make more sense further down the post).

So I told Michael (@ Herbavoracious - keep up!) that I would share with him my recipe, that my mom gave me years ago when I moved out on my own, and that I'd try to make it gluten free. He has a partial gluten free audience, and Paul is gluten free, so I thought "yay! Experient time!!!!"

Well, the road to H#@$ is paved with good intentions, no?

I have not yet made my version, but I did get back to Michael with the recipe, which I will now share with you:

1/3 c. butter - melt in pan (like glass pie plate)
4 eggs
1c. milk
1c. flour

mix eggs in blender for one minute; add milk and flour and blend till mixed.

pour batter into pie pan which has melted butter in it and bake in 425 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.

this batter makes two babies, so split the batter before pouring it into your pan.

My mom's note is that it's my Uncle Jeff's recipe. He's my mom's little brother, who lives in his Eastlake (let-me-drool-all-over-your-perfect-house)home with his FAB girlfriend, my aunt, Lisa.

I had dinner with him this Sunday (perfect BBQ in Seattle Sunday) and he said it's from an old friend of his....so who knows the origin. Isn't that the best anyway?!?!?

------

So you see, all these years we were calling them Baby Dutchmen in our house, when the guy that gave my mom the recipe says he calls them Dutchbabies. So who knows!

It doesn't affect the taste one bit! (or one bite!)

Just for fun, I've scanned in the picture of the paper my mom wrote the recipe on for me, because it's an old stationary pad from her mom, when she used to be a professional secretary back in the day. I just love this pad of paper, and have seen this paper since I could even remember my own name. I think she got like 20 cases of it, because my grandparents are no longer with us (since 2001) and we're STILL using pads of this paper! HA!

Enjoy:

mmmmmmmmmmmm......

2009-05-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

Since Seattle has decided to stick with Winter until Summer finally pushes through, I'm sticking with warm tea and comforting blueberry bread this morning. Here you'll see two of my favorite things: a mug from a tea set that Ziggs (my college friend) got me for a birthday a couple years ago, and my tea pot given to me by my dad for Chirstmas this past year. I love them so much.

The mug is the perfect thinness to drink from, and I love watching the tea infuse into the hot water.

What you can't see in this picture is my fabulous hour glass, which is actually a 35 minute glass, but who's counting.....(sorry, bad pun).

That precious find was from Revival Home and Garden, in Georgetown, here in Seattle. (Leah at Revival has become a new design and decor friend of mine, and you can check out her store and blog here: http://www.revivalhomeandgarden.com/)

Plane Jane: who knew?!?!?!

2009-05-12T16:45:00.000-07:00

This is a Seattle area specific post, so sorry to those of you to whom this does not apply, but if you ever come to visit, I'll make sure I tell you how to get there.

This past Sunday (Mother's Day of course), Paul and I were at his parent's house for brunch. My mom and her husband also came out for brunch, so we had a 2 mom situation. :)

Paul and I really couldn't figure out what to get either of them, but luckily Mark (Paul's younger brother) had already taken care of a present for their mom, from us kids. Paul and I decided to hit up the local QFC for some flowers at least. So we headed down to the neighborhood shopping plaza, in Klahani (an area of Issaquah, which is a suburb of Seattle).

http://www.planejane.info/

(this picture is old, because of course it's from their website, and what's in stock now is super cute, and I want one of everything!)

As we are pulling up (mind you I've been to this grocery store many times over the past 4 years) I noticed a cute little store just to the left, called Plane Jane. It's front doors were open, and I thought, "hmmmmm, I don't remember seeing that place before, I wonder if it's new?" and then I realized they had all sorts of cute clothes and accessories inside. So I said, "honey, let's pop in here real quick, just to see if they have anything."

I was very cautious to get anything, because my mom is basically the queen of jewelry and has everything and more that she could ever possibly wear. (I think if she wore a different piece every day, she could go almost a year without skipping a beat).

But as soon as I walked in, I saw this great gold chain necklace that SCREAMED my mom's name (for those of you who know her, and are my college girlfriends, you know her as the Naaaan-DA, or "the Nons").

So for $50.00 plus tax, we got her this really cute, long necklace that she says she can already wear a few different ways! sweet! (and it's cute, so I can totes borrow it!)

The owner, Naoko Vaughn, is really nice, and we liked what we saw, although we were on the run, so I really have to go back and explore more! Plus, it's next door to a coffee shop, and a nail salon and a spa, so this is the makings of a great girls trip! Woo hoo!

Follow Up: I think I can, I think I can

2009-05-12T12:36:00.000-07:00

Hey there,

So, I have a couple of pictures, but........................they're not the best. One is fuzzy, and neither really shows the hat. So sorry, but maybe there'll be another opportunity to wear it, or maybe I'll get annoyed enough and retake the pictures later.

Either way, here's how it sat on my head (PS: my hair didn't go so well, but them's the breaks)

I like 'em thin!

2009-05-12T12:04:00.000-07:00

My coffee cups, not my men!

I am sitting here drinking room temp tea (just the way I like it) out of this coffee mug from Target (it's white, plain, but I like it). However the thickness of the mug is so thick that sometimes I end up spilling or dribbling! YUCK! (not the way I like it!)

I find that women prefer thinner edges and men prefer thicker edges.....at least in my non-scientific sample which consists of me, Paul (the BF), my sister, her husband, my mom and her husband, and my dad.

What do you think? Thin, thick, or just don't care, skip the mug and hit me up with the IV?

(we all have those days!)

And if you're like me, love the thin ones, and are in the market, might I suggest the best darn thing since sliced bread - in the mug world that is. http://www.rosannainc.com/

Here's my latest obsession from Rosanna:

(Initally Yours from RosannaInc., a local Seattle tablewares maven)

Of course I would get the S for me and the P for Paul and the E for Emily...the list could go on. I just LOVE them.

I also have already received this fabulous set, but have yet to break it out (special occassions only, you know):

(Rococo Noir tea set from RosannaInc.)

I have the tea pot, as well as the cream and sugar set. Paul's wonderful parents, Marija and Piotr got this for me for Christmas this past year, and I could not be happier with it!

Me thinks it's time for a girls night! HA! (*shuffles off* time to plan a girls night in!)

I think I can, I think I can!

2009-05-08T09:44:00.000-07:00

So, this weekend I'm going to a wedding shower for a friend of Paul's (she's Polish also, a couple years younger than Paul, but their families have known each other since before the kids were born), and I got the invitation a couple of weeks ago. It said that it's a hat party. Well, that should be fun, right? I have a few cute dresses to choose from.......but no hats to go with any of them. I LOVE hats, and have a TON of them, but none of them are "fancy" hats that would go with a dress.

Before I realized it, it was Thursday night and the shower is in two days! YIKES (at least I already have the gift! thankyouverymuch Macy's online!). So I decided rather than hunt various thirft stores for an overpriced hat that may or may not match one of my dresses (not to mention sometimes they're just a little musty smelling and "don't-touch-me-or-I'll-break-into-a-million-pieces" delicate, I'd make my own custom hat! Hat Couture (sorry, I know that was lame - 'hat'/'haute', you get it)

So off I went to JoAnns. Since I didn't have my dress with me, and wasn't even sure which one I'd wear (Depending on how fat or skinny I am, and the weather/temperature, and my mood), I got supplies for the hat in three different colors: forest green, navy, and dark taupe/beige.

I spent $20.75 on all the supplies. Here's what I used to create the hat:

-a kids sized foam visor: $1
-1 sheet of craft felt (eco-fi, made from recycled plastic bottles): $.72
-1/2 yard of shiny tulle (of which I used about 1/4 of): $.65
-a high temp glue gun (I only had a low temp one): $2.50
-a bag of mini glue sticks (I used 4): $2.50
-a fake Magnolia bloom (was 50% off): $2.50
-a fake cherry blossom bloom (or something like that, also 50% off): $1.99

Total price: $9.36 + tax (per hat, except of course the glue gun stuff you only buy once)

First I made a duplicate of the visor on some scratch card stock, so I could cut it up and play with how to make the actual hat form from the foam (say that 5 times fast).

Once I had figured out how I wanted the hat form to look, I used my template card stock to cut the foam, then glued it in place with my glue gun.

Then, I flipped it upside down and traced it on the wrong side of the felt, so I had a 1" boarder. I cut the felt out and used the glue gun to stretch, wrap, glue and repeat all the way around (of course doing the opposite ends first to avoid pulling and weird gathering). so then I had the basic hat form. (Save that scrap of left over felt for later, so you can cover the bottom side of the hat. you want it to look professional, right?)

Next, I cut out my tulle shapes. I wanted to do something a bit off center, with some body and volume, so I cut three different sized ovals, and gathered each one separately, (using the glue gun to "sew" at the gather. once the glue was dry, I had little veils). Then I sat in the mirror and played with positioning. After deciding on each one's position, I carefully glued it in place on the top side of the hat.

Once all three were complete, I grabbed my mag bloom, pulled it off the stem, cut the plastic part beneath it as short as possible, and then went back to the mirror to see where I wanted to position it. But FIRST, I pulled the big leaf off the stem and put that in place, so the flower had a base, and the hat had some contrasting color (otherwise it would be all white, cream and tan. blah!)

So, once you've got the mag (or other flower bloom) and leaf glued down, you can use your filler flower to fill in (duh) spots that either show a bit of glue, or show the base of your work. This way you add a pop of color, and some nice detailing that does double duty to cover your tracks!

Now, you're almost done. Take that left over felt, cover the bottom side of your, gluing it ALL OVER so that it really stays put. This is important because later you might need to use this as a base for bobby pins or a comb, to secure into your hair.

I however, took the stem from my filler flower, curved it into a headband, fit it to my head and cut it to the right length. It's already covered in floral tape, so it's a little sticky-ish, and it blends into most hair color (people are looking at the hat anyway, right?!) Then I sat in front of the mirror, AGAIN, and played with the position of the finished hat, atop the head band.

Once that was in place, I carefully took the hat with headband off, ran to the table. and traced the headband on the under side of the hat, so I can glue it later, if I decide to use the head band rather than bobby pins or a comb.

If you use bobby pins, then either get some that are going to blend in with your hat (you've done all this work, don't ruin the illusion with ugly bobby pins showing on the top of the hat) or you'll want to create little loops for the bobby pins to slide through using scraps of your felt on the bottom side of the hat.

Okay, without further ado, her are the pictures of the finished product (I promise to take more pictures when I'm wearing it, so you get the full effect):

This is the top view of the hat (above).

This is the back side of the hat....where most of the work would show, so I used my filler to cover it and act as a garnish to the major bloom (above).

This is the front/side of the hat (above). The tulle will sit over my left ear and side of my face. there are three layers of tulle, all in different positions and different sizes, you'll see when I post pics of me wearing it.

Okay, go and build!

Pear cozy

2009-04-29T15:13:00.000-07:00

I was just checking in over at SeeSaw Designs, and they were highlighting the ubercute apple jacket.

I decided I must have its cousin, the Pear Jacket (although I'm calling it the Pear Cozy) from Handamade, this superpresh Etsy designer.

Here it is in all its glory:

Although I might ask them to join Reveal and put up the pattern...doubtful they would since this is one of only a handful of items they make.....and it's a steal at only $8.00, considering how many pears I eat a week....

And now back to your previously scheduled programming. work.

Headboard? What headboard?

2009-04-28T16:20:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I'm pretty sure I'm still in my freshman year of college, because I have this piece of crap bed frame that I think we found out back near the dumpsters of the apartment building I used to live in....classy, I know.

I'm hell bent on finding a cheap bed frame that is also beautiful, but I'm having this internal dilemma between making the frame myself, or holding out to find one on Craigslist. So far, the holding out hasn't worked so well. My thought was to create something neat from materials at the local salvage yard, SecondUse, that way it'd be custom and if I ruined it, I wouldn't be out a lot of cash, just a lot of my time.

But then I saw this article (also on Sunset.com): http://www.sunset.com/home/decorating/great-ideas-for-headboards-00400000039992/page17.html

This one is great, it's an old pocket door that they reclaimed, super dramatic. just like me. (at least I admit it)

I like this wooden one, for many reasons, it's so masculine, but they still have that woman's touch with the nook.

Does anyone have any great beds to show off? What about sources for frames or materials?

Project 1: this office sucks, don't call it an office

2009-04-28T16:06:00.000-07:00

This is going to be an ongoing post, so brace yourselves for awesomeness, follow ups and lots of peer pressure.

I warned you from time to time I'll be sharing projects I'm working on (or planning to work on).

This is one of those times.

So, at my wonderful, fabulous, handsome (I could go ON AND ON) boyfriend Paul's condo, he's got a living room/office situation going on. The situation is this: one room doing both duties. Once your gag reflex has subsided, please continue reading.

Over the two years he's owned the condo, he's let me try a couple different configurations in that space (bless his heart), which is basically a rectangle. And don't worry, I'll take pictures and upload them when he's not looking.

But now I've reached a point where my idle decorating hands are about to go crazy if I can't do a minor upgrade to the situation.

Here's what I want to do: swap out the old, college, ghetto desk he has for this awesome glass top adjustable drafting table I have which would give him almost twice the desk top space, add some inexpensive shelves above the desk on the wall, hang some task lighting off the bottom shelf, and move the TV (brace yourself) to the SAME wall (which TOTALLY goes against my design ethics, but whatever). This will really open up the floor plan, which is necessary, because the condo is only 525 square feet. (no, that is NOT a mistype).

Here's the kind of shelving I'm petitioning for:

Here's the whole article from Sunset magazine online: http://www.sunset.com/home/decorating/great-ideas-for-home-shelves-00400000039111/

Here's the desk I already own (unfinished wood saw horses and semi-opaque blue tinted glass top):
It's hard to imagine what this would look like if you have not seen the space, so I'll take pictures soon and update you with installment two of this project: talking Paul into letting me do this.

Stay Tuned

Pack rat or pack genius?

2009-04-28T15:56:00.000-07:00

Recently, another blog I love that's local to Seattle, Shelterrific, posted about travel prep. And of course, I had something to say about that!

Here's the post, so you can see what others were saying: http://www.shelterrific.com/2009/04/24/post-off-are-you-a-good-traveler/

I hate to brag, but I'm pretty good at the travel prep. After numerous unsuccessful trips (where I have 7 shirts, but one pair of pants, no underwear and only heels to walk all about town) I realized "this is bad, what is wrong with me?" So now I first check the weather, make a list of what I need (types of things, not specific pieces), and then when I go to pack, I get out the bag I'm taking, open it, and pull all the pieces that are on the list.

Then, before packing them (and don't forget your toiletries, but you put those in last, on top for easy access), I look at how any of the pieces can do double duty for me on the trip. This means most of the pieces can be mixed with each other for say 6 different outfits from 2 shirts, 2 pants, 1 shorts, 2 shoes and a jacket and sweater. Although sometimes I'll also bring a dress or two, because they take up no room, I can pair with both the sweater and the jacket, and that's just upped my outfit count to 8. Now I can go a whole week in a weekend sized bag. At this point, you don't even need to check your bags, just get there early enough so you get good overhead storage on the plane!

What are your thoughts on this? Good? Bad? Ugly?

Welcome to Decorazzi!

2009-04-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

This is my attempt at a 'welcome' post.

I'll try not to be trite in my explanation, but I'm not making any promises.

"Why are you doing ANOTHER blog, when so many are already out there, that ROCK?!"

Let's be frank, there are about a gazillion blogs out there about decorating, crafting, design, fashion, food, etc. But there are very few that cover all of it at once, in one location.

"So, why did you choose a decor name for the blog then?"

Because it's catchy, and catch all. The Papparazzi cover everything news worthy from scandalous politicans to Britney's nail polish color, and everything in between. So Decorazzi is my version of that; I'm covering everything from wall coverings to gluten free cake recipes, and every stitch between. Just let it happen, okay?

"Fine. What are you going to talk about then?"

A hodge podge really. Other awesome blogs that I'm inspired by, sweet Seattle area finds and locations for "I never knew I could get that here," and things I think others should know about or have the chance to take advantage of.

And from time to time, I'll endulge you with things from my personal life, like projects I'm doing at my house or my boyfriend's condo (which will be great because he totally freaks out on me when I change stuff, but then two days later he's like "that's great, thanks for doing that..."), pictures of my fabulous nephew and his mom (my older sister), pictures of me on trips or outtings, and of course info on the greatest deals and places when I travel.

It'll be a rocky start, but I'm positive I'll enjoy it, and if you ignore my horrible spelling, frequent dyslexia and lengthy quips, you might just find you enjoy it too.

So, sit down, strap yourself in, get a drink, put your feet up and let it happen.

-Siiri

Sew perfect!

2009-04-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know I should be posting a "welcome to my blog" post right now, but I can't help it.

I. MUST. BUY/SHARE/SHOW/DROOL OVER. THIS.

It's sew perfect and I think I might rip off the idea. I'm thinking of doing seasonal covers in this style (shilouette) for some great down throw pillows I have.

http://www.pointclickhome.com/blogs/i_design/wiener_dog_style

I promise (to try) to do a "welcome to Decorazzi" post lates.

MUAH!