IHWSH - Pillows

It's time for our second weekly "I'll Have What She's Having"... and this week it's all pillow talk. Pillows are small but mighty - one of the easiest ways to add color or personality to a room. Some of our favorites:

Katie's  Picks:
1. La Fiorentina Pillow
2. French Bulldog Pillow
3. Home Is Where The Heart is Pillow
4. Chevron Print Pillow in Sunshine Yellow

Jayne's Picks: 
5. Malabar Pillow in Chocolate
6. Metallic Squares Bronze Pillow
7. Sailor Rectangle Pillow
8. Happily Ever After Pillow

Swedish Day

So this Saturday (October 15th) is Sweetest Day...

"Sweetest Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in October as a day to make someone happy.  It is an occasion which offers all of us an opportunity to remember not only the sick, aged and orphaned, but also friends, relatives and associates whose helpfulness and kindness we have enjoyed.

Sweetest Day is not based on any single group’s religious sentiment or on a family relationship.  It is a reminder that a thoughtful word or deed enriches life and gives it meaning."

-Retail Confectioners International  

 It is not widely celebrated, but why not use it as an opportunity to randomly do something nice?

Send someone some snail mail just to say hello. (From Rifle Paper Co.)

Buy your friend some flowers. (Or the print of some from this Etsy Shop.)

Or serenade your boo just for the heck of it. (Image from "Say Anything," found here.)

Sweetest Day always reminds me of this story:

My sister was a freshman or sophomore in high school, and one night my mom picked up Jayne and her date (let's call him James) from the movies. They got in the car and noticed a red rose sitting on the dashboard. "What's with the rose?" James asks. "Oh, they were handing them out at dinner tonight. It's Sweetest Day," says my mom. James' response: "Oh my gosh, we're Swedish too!"

Bookshelf Redo

I have had this “Billy Bookcase” from IKEA for five years – since my very first apartment in Dallas. (Unsurprisingly, they still sell it. One of the many great things about IKEA – if you have a favorite item, have no fear… it will always be there.) 

As we were getting rid of stuff before we moved to KC, I was so over this bookcase and tempted to add it to the “no” pile. But then, inspired as always by Pinterest, I decided that rather than having to buy a new bookshelf, I would just redo this one! Here are some of the pretty pictures that made me keep Billy:

1 / 2 / 3

I love the pop of pattern/color in the back of these shelves, and it was also clear after seeing these that I needed to paint Billy white. So, with a little can of white enamel paint and some sandpaper, I got to work. To give the paint some grip, I lightly sanded each of the shelves (all but the middle one are removable) and the sides before painting. The painting was definitely the most time consuming part, as I had to do three or four coats to get the look I wanted. 

I debated how to get a pretty pattern onto the back of the shelves. I looked into wallpaper, but I couldn't find a pattern I loved that would cost under $125 (may as well buy new shelves at that point). I also thought about wrapping paper, but thought that may look cheap and couldn't find a good pattern. Then, my mom gave me the genius idea of cutting out a piece of cardboard that would wedge into the back of the shelf, and covering it in fabric. Simple, pretty, AND easily replaceable! 

I took a trip to Jo Ann Fabrics and lucked into just what I wanted at $5.99 a yard (total cost was $12... how bomb is that?!). I also found cardboard there that could be cut down to fit. The rest was cake...

I had to do the backing in two pieces because of the one fixed shelf. I cut the fabric in half, and Dac helped me cut the cardboard to the shelf measurements. Then, I tightly wrapped the fabric around the back and just taped it on!

Then it was just a matter of inserting the boards and putting in the shelves...

...and VOILA!

Of course I have to show you how it looks decorated too...

What do you think? Better than the old plain brown look??

By the way, that little painting hanging next to the shelves... my little brother Sam painted that HIMSELF. Isn't it amazing?! He's the best. Of course Katie got one in her wedding dress too.

Olympic Spirit

Over the weekend, I helped host my BFF Shanda's bachelorette party in Indianapolis. It was super fun! Shanda loves sports and is fairly competitive, so I decided to turn the party into the "2011 Sanders Bachelorette Olympics." Turns out the whole group was pretty competitive. We had a dozen different events, each with a gold, silver, and bronze medalist, and then an overall Olympic Champ (based on medals won.) My mom helped me turn 1/3 of the originally-gold medals to bronze and 1/3 into silver, using spray paint:

The "award medals" came from Party City and we picked up the silver and bronze spray paint at Wal*Mart.

The ribbons were velcro, so we took them off to paint.

We did the painting outside, using the same techniques I employed for the chandelier.

 My mom and brother also helped me make an official Olympics sign and a medal standings board:

I just used two sizes of Tupperware lids to make the rings.

One of my favorite events was put together by Shanda's friend Molly - a photo scavenger hunt. It was set-up to be done at restaurants and stores around our hotel, and it was really fun. Here are a few of my fav pics from our team's hunt:

Prom!

Texas Roadhouse

Boa Constrictor

We kept track of who won medals on the standings board, and in the end, Biscuit (my Olympics-nemesis) took home the trophy:

This is the ultimate Shanda bridal get-up.

Anyone else used a fun theme for a party recently? I like that you can turn anything into a competition with the Olympics theme. Shanda, we're all so excited for you and Matt!

Farmer's Market Fun

I’ve been spending a lot of time at the City Market in Kansas City – it’s this awesome farmer’s market that happens to be just a few blocks from our apartment. Their tagline is "where the locals go" - a perfect place for us to get to know KC.

It is so much more fun, and healthy (or feels that way at least), to purchase produce in this environment, directly from local farmers. We’ve also purchased flowers, local honey, bread and other delicious goodies. The food isn’t the only thing that gets us there at least every weekend. The real draw is the festive atmosphere – the diverse crowd, the local musicians, and just the general happy vibe of both the sellers and the shoppers… I also love how pretty all of the fresh food looks displayed. I think a lot of it has to do with these crates you will see at most stands:

(pretty photo found by Sara Lewis photography)

Want to add some farmer’s market feel to your kitchen?

Check out these farmer’s market-inspired kitchen accessories from Anthropologie. I have the egg crate and the small basket. Of course, Katie has the egg crate too and was the one who sold me on the idea of splurging on them in the first place, saying it “made her happy every time she opened her refrigerator”. It truly does... what a great place to keep your "pre-birds"or "future birds" (to quote Tom from Parks and Rec - see video below). And when there's not food in them, they also look great just sitting out on the counter as a pretty accessory. 

Do you have any fun farmer's market stories or inspirations?

I'll Have What She's Having

Welcome to the first weekly installment of "I'll Have What She's Having!" Every week, we will both pick out a few items we know the other will love as much as we do (and that when/if we buy them, we should just go ahead and buy one for our partner in crime...so Jayne, I'll take those boots in a size 11.) In the future, we plan on doing themed editions, like "IHWSH - Scarves" or "IHWSH - Candles." So if you have any requests for themes, let us know in the comments!

Katie's Finds:
1. Porcelain Hurricanes: I bought several of these in different sizes for our terrace and we love them! I've ended up using them inside more than out, and I love the way the light shines through the holes.
2. I Would Rather Have Champagne Print: I like to have things around my house with a little character, and this fits the bill. I also really love the bubbly!
3. Chevron Marquis Hoops: These would quickly become part of my regular jewelry rotation - classic with a twist.

Jayne's Finds:
4. Fillmore Glasses - Warby Parker: I am in love. I bought these glasses this week, and can’t WAIT for them to get here. I call them nerdy chic. Warby Parker has so many stellar styles - of both prescription lenses and shades - they'll be blowing up your Pinterest boards. If you haven’t checked out their site, do it now.
5. The Biker Boot – Madewell: I have wanted these for over a year now. Apparently everyone else does too, because no matter what the season, they never go on sale. I think it’s about time for these biker boots to hit the road with me... right?

6. Zigzag Rug - Urban Outfitters: What a great deal for such a killer rug! I want to get one for our living room, but need to pick a color… you really can't go wrong!

Chicky-Chicky-Parm-Parm

A round-up of some nice things on the internet:

I've never seen Parks and Rec but I've heard good things and this clip really gets me, so I think I'm going to have to start watching...

My mom, Henry, Jayne and I came up with a couple of our own, including moo-moo patties (hamburgers).

If I'm in a bad mood, Kittens Inspired By Kittens can always cheer me up:

One of my favorite clips from one of my favorite movies (with one of the all-time best soundtracks):

And finally, a song from one of my favorite movies when I was a kid ever:

 Anyone else love The Chipmunk Adventure as much as I do?