Fall Preview

Happy Monday, all!

Took a brief brain-blog-break this weekend--I really needed it after last week.

Lots of creative muscle was flexed this weekend, but lots of secret muscle flexing. Can't wait to show you what I'm working on.

Portland hasn't quite figured it out that Fall is right around the corner--today we enjoyed 90 degrees [awesome!] but I'm starting to prep for rain, cold, and more rain.

Lots of plans in motion for Fall this year...here's what's inspiring me:

[color] Supah-Dupah-Green

I am totally digging on supah-emerald-green.
Oh, and what's up Gold Ceiling? [Insert Black Keys intro here...]
Here.

And here we are a little more subdued...little lamby in corner.
here.

Oh boy. Hey, pretty little chair stools....
here

[people] All my little pregnant friends

I swear, everyone and their mom is due September 15 - September 25. I feel like I'm on perma-baby watch. There's also a lot of new preggers out there. I feel like I have a lot of nursery designing coming out on the horizon...[yay!] So I've started my inspiration file. Here's a couple highlights:

Bling and blam. 
by Amy Lambert Lee

I love those animals.

by Nelson Wilson Interiors

And now one for the bright and cheery.

Atlanta Kids And Nursery Carousel Designs

I love the color, I love how it's awesome.

by Cristi Holcombe

Too much cute, right?

[Oktoberfest] OK, Reese Oktoberfest-extravaganza planning is in full swing. We have tons of awesome surprises planned. We've narrowed down a couple charities we're looking to support with the party, and started to get the house/garage ready for the swarm. Details to come...

Now, THAT, is a stein.
here

Have I mentioned it yet? I love Fall. I just love it.

Do you have that in burlap?

OK--saw this post on Design Sponge [my fav. go-to spot for all things pretty] and I couldn't wait until next week to try it.

here

So...immediately I thought of about a million ideas with said bleach + tape idea. But first, I wanted to do a test--we all know how some pins sound awesome and end up horrible.

So, I grabbed some scrap burlap.

I got a spray bottle, filled it with a bleach + water mixture and really shook it up.

I put some tape on the burlap [made sure it was flat and pretty.]

I sprayed it with bleach + water cocktail.

I removed tape.

I rinsed, I washed, I dried and waited anxiously.

I did a giant fist pump in the air.

I've got an awesome, big, giant plan for this technique.

It's going to fill out a very boring front door...

 

Oh, and just for fun--a gratuitous picture of my parent's dog, Bella, chasing ducks at the pond by my house:

Ode to the iPhone

I love iPhone.

It's true. I'm Apple's dream poster-child of the early adopter 'gotta have it quick' market. 

I had the first gen. iPhone--it lasted about 3ish years before I dropped it into a giant pool of water. It probably would have lasted another couple years.  So, I reluctantly [willingly] upgraded to the iPhone 4. I was holding out because I wanted the white one [remember that debacle?] but upgraded to the black out of absolute necessity about 2 hours of said giant pool of water.

Me and said iPhone have been best friends ever since. That little iPhone is responsible for 99% of the photos on this here blog. [all except for my wedding photos or engagement photos] We go everywhere together...literally.

So, naturally, I was pretty excited about today's announcement. I was in meetings most of the day, but I did catch a glimpse of this pretty little thing over Facebook while waiting for the Max:

hey, pretty.

Now, before I go into a complete iPhone love-fest, I will say that the perfect phone is all personal preference. I know technically there are better phones, but I prefer iPhone. Except for Windows Phones...those are horrible [just kidding, Ben...kinda. But no, seriously--call me when you get Spotify.]

I haven't had a ton of time to read up on the new features [does it really matter? I'm going to get it anyway...] but I did read something about a reversible plug-in for the chord. UH, THANK YOU. I'm pretty sure it's Newton's 9th law of physics that when you go to plug your phone in, it will take you two tries.

The only way I think I could possibly wrap-up this iPhone love-fest is with a haiku:

Happy iPhone day! 

Tutorial Tuesday: Let me see your hoop swing!

Editors Note: Wow. Thank you so much for all your support for yesterday's post announcing the launch of hey pretty, [design co.] As you can see, I started making baby steps toward the change yesterday too.

Check back for more information regarding the launch, including a big launch party--duh.

-------

Fall has definitely sprung fallen here in Portland--and I couldn't be more excited. I love the amazing golden light in the evenings, the crisp mornings, and of course--the re-emergance of my fav. orange all over the place.

Besides the weather, fall always comes with this, "ok, let's get back to normal" theme. We finally get back to a semi-normal routine, we stop eating crazy things like Coors Light for dinner, and we all know what we're doing every Saturday from about 10am - 9pm [football, duh.] It's nice--especially after a crazy summer in the Reese household.

After Ben's heroic fight against the junipers last week, our front door became horribly exposed to the real world.

It

is

so

boring.

So naturally, I started scouring pinterest for awesome fall decorating decisions and I came across this pretty little idea:

Awesome, right? Unfortunately, it was one of those stupid pins that lead to nothing. I know it comes from this awesome blog but I couldn't find the exact post--so I'll try to recreate as best as I can.

Things you'll need:

-Half a yard of burlap

-Paint + Paintbrush or Paint Pen (heavy-duty sharpie is fine)

-Embroidery circle thing (I haven't come to consensus with anyone on what this is called--top vote was 'circle thing' but 'hoop' came in second)

OK--let's get started.

[Step One:] Measure the hoop you got. My little guy is a 12-incher. Go into your favorite program to type words into. Make your document square according to the diameter of your hoop--my document was 12" x 12" [note--you're not going to print it out on 12x12 paper, this is all just so you have some sense of how big your letter will be in the hoop.) In your most favorite font, type in the first letter of your last name [or your favorite letter, or the first letter of your name, or the first letter of your middle name--it's your thing.]

I chose Minion because I just watched Despicable Me.
And it's got a pretty 'R'

[Step Two:] Print it out. Then carefully cut it out. [I am hopelessly scissor challenged, so I used an exacto knife--choose your favorite poison and get to it.]

[Step Three:] More cutting! Carefully trim around the edge of the hoop. Depending on the look you're going for, it might be pretty to leave a little at the edges and scrunch it up a bit. Again, it's your thing.

[Step Four:] Lay your burlap out and put your circle thing down. If you want, you can trace around the outside edge to get an idea of where your letter should go. Plop that letter down in the middle of the hoop, then carefully trace around the outside and inside edges.

[Step Five:] It's coloring time! Get your sharpie, paint pen, fabric paint or tool of choice to carefully color in your tracing. Take your time, burlap is hard to paint--but man it looks awesome with nice crisp edges.

[Step Six:] Let it dry for at least an hour--to be safe. 

[Step Seven:] Open up the hoop (little spinny dials at the top will loosen it) and put your burlap through. Make it really tight before you close that thing up.

[Step Eight:] At this point, you could be done--go to your front door and stick it over that silly nail you put up that scarecrow door decoration last year. I think I want to add a little more embellishment tomorrow--perhaps some gold ribbon to tie the little pretty up? But, it's dark outside, so I kept it here for safekeeping for the night...I might not move it...

Now, I just need some pumpkins, a puppy, and for Ben to let me paint the door black.

A birth, of sorts.

If anything is obvious today, it's that fall is almost upon us. Here in Portland, we got a little taste yesterday--about 65 degrees and a little cloudy. This morning was a little chilly, but super sunny and beautiful, then we moved into full-on-rain. Yum.

I'm also [relatively] ready for a big announcement. OK--this is a huge announcement.

And to be honest, this post is a little...late.

A little over 9 months ago, I started on this little-bitty blog adventure. I had a New Year's Resolution, to re-infuse my life with my creative passions. But, I needed something to fuel this resolution.

The purpose of this blog was mainly to keep me honest. I knew that if I had 3 people [outside my mom] that would read my blog, I would commit to it beyond January 2.

In the past nine months, you have seen me go from elementary-school style blog designs [sorry for January...], to finding ways to gussy up a wall of beadboard, to buying our first house, and you've seen me live-out my lifelong dream of painting a room black [BOOM!]

 In the same way, this blog has grown. I've gone from about 8 readers a day, to a couple hundred [thanks, guys!], and on a couple occasions--a couple thousand. Every day, I feel your support and I am so grateful of you coming on this little bitty blog journey with me.

But--this thing was only meant to last a year. And with 3 months left in this year, I've been getting a lot of questions: What's next?

Well, here's what's next:

As of January 1, 2013, hey, pretty [Design Co.] is opening shop.

I will [officially] offer help and consulting for all your home decor and party-aesthetic needs.

I will come to your house, help you pick out paint colors, show you how to hang your photos, and take you shopping. I will help you use what you already have to make your house your home. I will show you [inexpensively] how you could beef up what you already have and show you how you could add a couple things to really make your home shine.

I will design your invitations for your sister's baby shower/bridal shower/birthday party. [If you're nice] I will help you plan your wedding. I will help you pick out decorations for that candy table. I will put together favors, menus, and flower arrangements. Then, I will show you how you could re-use those decorations in your house.

This is all about approachable design, people. This is going to Ross and finding that perfect end-table. This is all about scouring Craigslist for that perfect chair that just needs a quick coat of paint to look perfect in your office. This is all about throwing that party that looks like a million bucks, and cost $50.

Where did this all come from? You.

Throughout this year, I've gotten tons of emails, comments and slaps on the arm, "Can you come do that to my house?" or "I need invites for my dog's third birthday, can you do that?"

Yeah, I can. And as of January 1, I will.

Over the next three months you're going to see a little transformation of my little corner of the internet. I'll be adding a couple more pages to the blog and starting a portfolio. At the start of the year, this blog will be transitioning into a spot for inspiration, easy DIY projects and to show off my client's new spaces, rockin' parties and general awesomeness. Posts will go from every day, to about 4 times per week.

I'm starting to schedule appointments and consultations for next year, so contact me over email or Facebook if you want more information.

Right now, I'm offering these services in the Portland Metro Area and Seattle/Tacoma Metro Area. If you live outside the NW corner of Interstate 5, contact me anyway--we may be able to work something out.

After nine months of growth, hills and valleys, I do feel like I'm giving birth to something big and overdue.

Thanks for all your support, I am so excited about this new chapter.

Alright, alright, alright.

For as horrible as yesterday appeared to be, today was that much more awesome.

Started out with a super nice shout out from Sarah, a friend from PLU that blogs at [life of love], thanks again, Sarah!

Ended with a great night of football with great friends.

If you read my Friday post, you would think I had a lot of very interesting, very ambitious plans for this weekend.

Well, due to migraine-a-thon 2012, none of them happened. But here's what did happen:

Changed the lightbulbs in this bathroom from being totally weird...

to totally normal. Sometimes it's the little things [these are still high efficiencies, just...normal.]

I finally moved into my closet, organizing my clothes into the following catagories:

-You could totally wear this for work

-You totally can't wear this for work

-Vegas clothes

-Jackets [it's official, I'm a jacket-a-holic]

It looked something like this:

I have a ton of clothes, not necessarily because I shop a lot--mainly because I haven't changed size since 7th grade.

Then, rounded out the weekend with a batch of homemade meatballs. Delicious.

So yeah. Nothing involving a chainsaw or sewing machine--but we'll get there. Maybe Tuesday, maybe next summer.

Let's make it a great week, all. 

Hold me, please.

Today was a mixed bag of emotions. So, apologies in advance if this post is a little ho-hum-bah-humbug.

I woke up with a migraine, found out I was out of Excedrin (which is now also not sold in stores?), took a double dose of advil and I was back in action, yes!

Went around looking for the perfect puppy bed [for those tracking, last week I bought a leash] but couldn't find one that went with the living room, drat. But, I did find some great sewing tutorials on-line, so stay tuned... Maybe next week I'll have a puppy to put on the leash in the bed.

Then, football. What a day.

I'm proud of my Oregon State Beavers! Won their first game of the year in a HUGE upset against Wisconsin! Played great, looked great, made me happy.

But then it all started going downhill. Nebraska decided they didn't need to practice for today's game. Defense looked horrible. I don't think they converted a single third down. T. Martinez got my hopes up with a 92 yard run for a touchdown. If I was voldemort Bo Pelini, I would fire the def. coordinator and beg his brother to come back. Then, I would make all the players learn how to catch a ball. Also, how to block. Also, how to cover the run. Also, how to cover passing. Then, find a kicker that knows how to kick.

Needless to say, I ended today super-cranky-head-hurting-needing-a-hug. Womp. Womp.

I saw someone's post on facebook about a pumpkin spice latte--immediately decided that would make me feel better. But, I'm a cranky old lady and I don't want to leave the house/be a member of society Option 2: Banana Pumpkin Spice Muffins. So delicious. So easy.

1.5 cups of whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of baking soda
.5 teaspoon salt

Sift it together

1/3 cup of melted butter
.5 cup sugar (I used equivalant of agave)
1 egg
3 mashed ripe bananas (real brown ones)
1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

Mix these together (you can do it by hand, but it's super fast if you have a mixer.)

This stuff is bomb.com [do people still say that?]

Slowly stir in the flour mixture and only stir until it's combined. The less stir-ey, the more moist-ey. I don't know why, it's science. 

Put it into muffin tins or a greased muffin tray: 

You can do this loaf-style too.
It'll take a little bit longer [maybe 40 minutes or so]
 and you'll have to cut it later.
So do muffins, trust me.

Bake in a 350 oven for about 20 minutes. They're done when you stick a pointy object in one and it comes out clean. 

so delicious. somewhat nutritious.

These things are somewhat healthy [I guestimate these coming in at about 180 cals.] Which totally justifies the big slab of butter you just put on one.

Happy Saturday, all. Here's to a better tomorrow.