Apartment, the Remixx! Vanity

As I was thinking about different ways of decorating my bedroom, I had several ideas for something luxurious, a place where I could really come home and get away for awhile.  I thought about a sexy Moroccan theme, an Italian theme, a beach theme...but when it all came down to it, I need something aesthetically stylish, yet practical.  I had the idea to take things I use in my day-to-day and duplicate them as props in my decor.  Not only would this save me a lot of money, but it would put an interesting twist on the look.  I could keep it sophisticated and classy by adding a little bit of French style and art to the mix, a la Petite Boutique Francaise.  The first step I took in the transformation was to create my very own vanity.  I have a tiny bathroom, and not a lot of storage for my make-up and hair products.  This would open up an organized space for all of my things, and it would still look really stylish.  Plus, who doesn't like to feel like a princess whilst getting fixed up for a night on the town.  Here's how I did it:
Before (ughhh...  I can't believe this was in my room)

My desk is unused, other than storage purposes.  It's dusty and falling apart.  I'm going to turn THIS into my new vanity.

I bought this big mirror at a Salvation Army for $12 and spray painted it black.


I found some pretty glass vases and little jars at Goodwill, around a dollar a piece.  I added some shiny gems in the bottom and voila!  Brush/ tools/ bobby pin holders...



I also found these little boxes at Wal-Mart for $5.00.  They're perfect for storing my makeup and keeping it organized.  In the picture, I have two stacked on top of each other.




Added a decorative lamp, a luminated magnifying mirror, and my Oui, oui!  Eiffel Tower statue...

After



All I have left to get is a little stool, which I'm going to upholster in white faux fur.  :)

What a much better use of my space, if I do say so myself.

5 things I love.

1.  Natasha Wescoat prints...only because I couldn't afford the real things.

http://www.wescoatart.com/natasha-wescoat/



2.  Slatkin & Co.  Creamy Pumpkin scented candles from Bath and Body Works.  Mmm...fall.



http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/



3.  Love Actually...it's close enough to Christmas that I can actually start watching this over and over again (and get away with it).


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314331/



4.  Red Lipstick:  MAC different lipstick in Ruby Woo is wonderful.



http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/168/310/Lipstick/index.tmpl



5.  Soft, fluffy, knitted scarves


http://www.myscarfshop.com/grey_chunky_cable_knit_winter_scarf

Closet Tips for the Fabulous Fashionista (who's getting tired of cleaning)

Deep cleaning and reorganizing my house: sounds about as fun as painting the roses red, right?  There really isn't a fabulous way to put it, yet it's hard to be fabulous when you can't find anything in your clutter-filled home and you can't even have friends over for cocktail night.  (Mimosas just aren't as refreshing when drunk alone.)  There has got to be a way, though, to make this cleaning stuff a bit more entertaining.  My first handy tip:  have a playlist going. 



1.Put on your favorite music and jam while you clean.

A few of my faves:
Bitter:Sweet
Florence + The Machine
Lilly Allen
Adele

...and if I'm feeling sexy...
Entheogenic
Ott
Halucinogen
(I like to get lost in the tribal trance...)

2.  Think shopping as you clean.

Since I'm just getting started with this makeover thing, I really don't have extra money to spend, but where there's a will, there's a way!  Out with the old, in with the "new."

Go through your closet.  Set up two paper bags:  one for Goodwill or Salvation Army, one for a local store to which you can try to sell your gently used clothing such as Plato's Closet, or in my case the Black Market (a Lincoln favorite for vintage clothing and accessories.)  Many people sell online as well.  I don't have the patience to deal with checking up on it every day and with shipping and packaging, etc., so I prefer the old-school method.  If it doesn't fit and if you haven't worn it in a long time, get rid of it.  Make room for some new, beautiful things that will make you look your absolute best. 

Look at your shoes:  if they're worn beyond repair, throw them away.  If they could use a little repair, put them in a pile to take to the cobbler to get re-heeled/ re-soled.  It's a very inexpensive alternative to buying all new shoes. 

Organize: either by types of clothing, where your wear those clothes (work, out, for potato chip consumption), or as I do it--by color.  This will make outfits much more simple to put together.  If your closet is looking a little sparse after removing all the un-worn stuffing, make a wish list of things you could really use.  Keep an eye out when you're dropping off your clothes.  If you make some money back, maybe you can use that to purchase a few key items.

Christina's Closet Staples:

1. Basic t-shirts:  I find that a crisp, snug-fitting white t-shirt looks very polished with a pair of...
2. Dark-washed, tailored jeans.  Your "damn, my butt looks amazing" jeans.
3. Black, tailored slacks.  (I keep saying "tailored."  It's not very expensive to have your clothes altered to fit your body like a glove, and it's so worth the extra attention you'll get.)
4. A well-fitted blazer (for the office, interviews, or to class up a basic vintage dress or tee.)
5. A button-down shirt.
6.  Supportive, well-fitted bras, underwear, and pantyhose...insert Spanks, corsets, socks, leggings, garter belts if you're feeling adventurous, etc. here)
7.  Black pumps and flats
8.  Your sexy LBD (little black dress)
9.  Accessories you're in love with.  Most of my clothes are very simple, basic colors and patterns, but people know me for dressing them up with eccentric, colorful scarves, earrings, necklaces, purses, etc.  I'm all about unique accessories.  You can find them anywhere, for any budget, and to fit any personality.
10.  A peacoat...maybe it's my Gossip Girl obsession...

Also get an organizer (you might need six if you're like me) for your jewelry, belts, and scarves.  I hang them on the wall of my closet and they look like this (image from Kaboodle.com):

Love it!  Happy cleaning, Fashionista!  I
know I have a hard time focusing on boring old cleaning and organizing, but hopefully this helps to make things a bit more interesting.  :)  Have a great day!

Life Makeover Step One: The Problem

From the time I was a little girl, I dreamed of someday becoming a princess and truly having that "happily ever after" the fairy tales I so loved promised. Once upone a time, I had everything going for me. Then, just as in every story, the antagonist (in my case, the big bad real world) struck me down hard! I was partying too much, had collected a massive amount of debt, was destroying my relationships with my boyfriend and family, and was far from getting anywhere with my career. Princess status? Ha! Try waitress/ bar maid working nearly 60 hours a week and not having any extra money to show for it. There is still hope, however. At some point, in every story, the character reaches an epiphany, their "aha" moment, where they come to terms with the fact that there needs to be a change. A magical Fairy Godmother appears and bibbidy, bobbidy, boo! Happily ever after. This is my fairy tale. My life transformation in text. For those of you that are reading, I hope you can learn with me. Share your experiences and any advice. The story begins now.

A day in the life of Christina:

Sleep 'til 12:30.
Play on facebook.
Eat something.
Play on facebook/ maybe watch something on TV.
Shower (maybe).
Go to work.
Either go out with my friends or go to my other job.
Come home.
Say hi to my boyfriend.
Probably argue with him because I was out too late.
Pass out.
Repeat.

Wow.  Has my life really gone down to this level?  Anyone that knew me five years ago would be appalled at my laziness and lack of ambition.  This road is getting me nowhere.  My house is a mess.  I'm falling into a huge puddle of debt.  I'm eating unhealthy.  I'm not exercising, unless you count a few hours of dancing at parties and shows.  My boyfriend and I are constantly fighting.  I rarely talk to my family.  I work a lot, but it stresses me out more than anything.  I find myself in a continuous daydream about how I want my life to be, but I can't seem to find a way out!  I've gone from one of the most positive, optimistic, ambitious people in the world to this wreck and it's time to start assessing the damage for real.

The "Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo":

Step one:  ORGANIZE.

It's time to get everything back in order.  No more being late because I can't find my things.  No more not knowing when bills are due and brushing them off like they're nothing.  No more promising people I'll be there, and forgetting to show up because I double-booked myself.  A type-a person like myself living in a type-b world is a recipe for disaster!

I work really well with checklists, and you'll notice them a lot throughout this blog.  I like checklists because they keep me on task and I make sure everything that I intend to get done, actually gets finished.  Hopefully you can take something from these lists and tweak them to fit your own lifestyle as well!

1.  The Help the Lost Clutter Find its Home List (aka the chore list):

One of my favorite books, How to Walk in High Heels, by Camilla Morton, is a chic guideline to successful everyday living for everyday girls that seek fabulousness!  There's a section in this book for everything, from getting ready, walking in Manolo's, playing poker, and yes...cleaning.  I have found her housekeeping checklist very helpful, mostly since it jumps around a bit and doesn't focus on one room at a time.  Therefore I don't get bored.  I've taken the checklist and formatted it to fit my lifestyle.  Here it goes.

Daily:
Make the bed
Charge phone and laptop
Create a daily to-do list
Put away clean laundry
Organize and wash dirty laundry
Open the windows for a minute and air out the room (even if it's cold)
Plump the cushions and pillows on the couches
Pick up all trash and clutter and put it in its place
Get the mail and sort
Empty and re-load the dishwasher
Handwash any leftover dishes, wineglasses, etc.
Wipe down all tables, counters, surfaces
Wipe out sinks
Sweep
Take out trash/ recycling
Water plants if necessary

Weekly:
Dust
Wash windows
Scrub toilets
Scrub bathtub/ shower
Clean out refridgerator
Clean out microwave
Vacuum

2.  Use a planner and calendar.

I've found myself double-booking a lot.  I've also found myself going to a lot more parties and shows, rather than spending time with my boyfriend and family or focusing on important things like my school situation.  It's time I get back into the groove of using a planner and a calendar.  A planner will help me see my day-to-day, where a calendar can help me organize when things, such as bills, are due.

The Time Wise Checklist

Write down when bills are due, and how much they're for
If necessary, come up with a plan to break down bills (I'll write a post about this)
Write down any birthdays and special events (Facebook is a great resource for this)
Write down work schedule
Organize the dates
Put them in your calendar as well as in your planner
Keep your planner with you at all times
*Make sure to put yourself and your responsibilities first, but save some time to dole out between friends, significant others, and family.

3. Put the plan in action!

Now that I have a plan, it's time to put it to the test.  I'll keep you all updated as to how the checklists are working and modify if necessary.  Good luck to those seeking to better themselves in any aspect!  Have a fabulous day.