We Do Actually Have Rugs...

...sorry about the last post. I was writing from a hotel lobby and unbeknownst to me, the Internet timed out and everything written was erased.

On to the rug story...

Ok, so we bought rugs! We did not, however, buy any of the rugs I wrote about last time. The week before last I received a 10% off coupon to West Elm along with a new catalogue. This told me it was fate that I buy rugs over the weekend which I was not by any means unwilling to do. Before setting off for the bricks and mortar store on 4th Street in Santa Monica, I made a phone call to see if the rugs Jeff and I agreed upon we in stock. Yep, they had the 8'x10' Jute Diamond Rug, but sadly they did not have the 5'x8' Andalusia rug I'm still so crazy about. I was told that the Horizon (yellow) color is only sold online, and not until September 20th(!). Eh, well...we'll at least have one rug down and only one to go. With that, we were off!

We made it to Santa Monica and had no trouble finding a parking space. The day was already a WIN! We explored the Promenade, as Tim had never been, and even checked out the newly opened Santa Monica Place. We dined, and browsed, and weaved our way in and out of outrageous people traffic, but then it was time. OH YES, IT WAS TIME. I must admit, I had a pit in the bottom of my stomach that things would turn out terribly and they very nearly did. I made a beeline for the rug section to see what, if anything, would work in place of the dreamy Andalusia rug and was momentarily heart-sunken. The Beaded Diamond Dhurrie, however, caught Jeff's eye. It didn't take much to sway me at this point. I mean, it is a nice color all light blue and stone grey. And I mean, it is graphic in nature...and HOLD ON, is that a 'sale' sign next to it??? I pulled up the rug page on the browser on my phone and looked at the sale price, eh, not bad.

We went to the counter to claim the Jute Diamond on hold and to ask about getting the Dhurrie in a 5'x8'.

"Oh, sorry. We don't have it in a 5'x8' and we can't find the 8'x10' Jute Diamond either."

"I'm sorry, I was told that it was here waiting for me and the Dhurrie hanging on the wall looks like a 5'x8' to me."

"Oh well, let me have them look again and you don't want the rug hanging up, the top will be all screwed up from the clamps."

"Well, can't we just take a look?"

*evil glare from the unhelpful salesgirl* "Yeah, let me find someone to take it down for you."

"Great! Thanks so much!" *spiteful smile :) *

They took the rug down and it was perfection.

"Oh wonderful!" I say, "And we should get a 10% discount for it being a floor sample, right?"

"Oh, I asked my manager and she said you don't because there haven't been any feet on it."

When would you have asked your manager??? You've been standing here with me the WHOLE time! Whatever, I'll keep my mouth shut.

We go up to the register to check out and a different, much MORE helpful salesperson checks me out.

"Oh hey, they found your rug in back AND you'll get the 5'x8' for 10% off because it's a floor sample!"

Hallelujah! Not only did the Dhurrie ring up for less than the sales price online, but the deal was then that much sweeter with the 10% discount for it being a floor sample on top of my 10% coupon. We now have two beautiful rugs that combined cost less than all the other 8'x10's I've seen.

Photo time:

8'x10' West Elm Jute Diamond Rug

We still have a lot of work to do on the living area, but I think we have certainly a fun jumping off point!

Detail Shot

And on to the dining area. I have another AMAZING project to post about coming up for the living area, so the following picture was taken not to give any of that away.

5'x8' West Elm Beaded Diamond Dhurrie

So there we have it! The two new additions to the townhouse hoping to make it feel more like a home. There are now diamonds covering every floor in the house, including our black and white tile work in both the kitchen and bathrooms, haha! I still have my eye on the Andalusian beauty and maybe one day we'll be brought together...like in 6 months to a year when she makes her way to the sale section ;)

Peace, love, and rugs!
~AJ

Winner!

*WARNING* Non decor related post to follow...

So, I don't win things. I just don't. All that changed last week when I entered a giveaway over at my friend Kristin's blog, Change is Necessary for Growth. She is a rep for Avon/mark and I won a whole slew of fantastic products!

First up is  mark Relief Effort Total Comfort Body Crème. It's a fair trade certified product and I won a whole tub of it! Not joking, the jar is monster sized :) I've been using it daily, and although the organic-y plant-y scent takes some getting used to,  it's a product I will use every last bit of.

here it is living in my medicine cabinet

Next up is mark The Big Fix 15-in-1 Benefits Balm. I have not yet used this product, but have no doubt in it's healing abilities. I'll give you an update just as soon as I can, which I'm sure will be fairly soon due to our casting weekend this weekend where I'll be meeting and shaking hands with dozens of finalists and, given my germaphobic nature, will be washing and thus drying my hands over and over and will be in desperate need of something soothing for my fingers. holy run on, batman!


Now, for the fun stuff! I love makeup, love love love, and Kristin sent along two goodies that are making their way up my 'must use' list. The first is mark Keep It Going Longwear Eyeliner & Shadow in Iconic. It's a fantastic hunter green and golden tan color. I applied it with a q-tip, though an eyeliner brush would have been preferable. I used the green color to smudgily line my eyelid and the golden creme to blend. I wore this along with my second makeup win, mark Juice Gems in Cherry Pop. Ok, I use the adjective 'awesome' quite freely, but this stuff really is awesome! It goes on in the prettiest sheer pink and lasts and lasts. It is a bit sticky, but not overly so and smells and tastes like strawberries! I've posted a pic below of me in my 'marc face.' I took a few close up, but was scared so a 3/4 shot is all you're gonna get!

Hi, my name is Ashley. I am not comfortable looking at pictures of myself.

Thanks, Kristin!


~AJ

Rug-o-Rama!

One thing our apartment is suffering from is a lack of rugs. Hardwood floors are great, but rugs get the job done when it comes to warming a room up. I've been searching and searching (and searching and searching and searching) for the perfect rugs for our space. Ones that will not only look great, but are in an affordable price range. These criteria bring me to West Elm. We love West Elm. Our overlapping squares daybed/couch is my favorite piece of furniture in our home and hails from West Elm. Also, and most importantly, there is a brick and mortar store close by! Gotta love westside living.


For our living area, we'll need a big guy (8'x10'). I am leaning toward the Andalusia rug because of the color and it's graphic nature. (Graphic nature has the potential to sound very naughty.)

I do, however, worry about the pattern clashing with our menagerie of patterned pillows covering the daybed. Switching out the pillows is a relatively cheap and easy thing to do. It will be a LARGE rug and will most likely become the focal point of the living area.


We'll also need a rug to slide under the (not yet purchased) dining room table. I know for certain that I want a white round table that seats four but can expand to seat six. We'll also be hanging shelves to display my ever-growing jadeite collection (thanks, sis!) I was thinking, and tell me if I'm crazy here, possibly an animal print? I know, I KNOW! I am NOT an animal print kind of girl, but check out the subtle gray "zebra" stripes on this beauty.

Is it too much? It will be a smaller size at 5'x8'.  If popular opinion points to nay, I would happily place a more subtle jute option under the simple white table.

If I was feeling really crazy, maybe a white shag rug? No? I don't know, probably not the best option under a dining table, but it could lend a really pretty light and airy effect.

No? This one is crazy, right?

Please please please give me your opinions. I know decorating your home is a very personal project, but we could all use an unbiased eye every once in a while. If you see rugs elsewhere that you think may be perfect, please pass those along too!

All the best and happy bagel Wednesday,
~AJ

*All images courtesy of West Elm. www.westelm.com

Our New Crib

WE FOUND A NEW PLACE TO LIVE!! So, short back story, my brother is moving to town and is living with us so we needed a bigger, upgraded space pronto. Well, we found one! I had been uber stressed about finding just the right place, mostly uber stressed because I hate apartment hunting with a passion. We lost out on the first apartment we applied for and my spirits were suffering because of it. Jeff and I set out on a Saturday morning determined to turn our luck around. We made a few appointments with renters we found through Craigslist and off we went. The first place was dis.appoint.ing. Very small and very loud and had these strange lamps affixed to the wall in the living room (just like yours, Jess.) Jeff and I said, "No, gracias." And headed to our second appointment. On the way, we passed a gentleman waving an open house sign, and we debated turning around. I thought, what the hey? Let's check it out. We whipped our car right around and went in to take a look.

When we entered the only available apartment in our price range, no words could form, only sounds. I wanted to live there and I wanted to live there NOW! We ran back to the manager and asked for an application. He said, "Don't you all have any questions?" Oh...uh...yeah...I guess we should ask about, ya know, if there's running water and all that... Jeff and I were on a high and told the manger we'd have our applications back Monday. Well, I couldn't sleep that night. I got up super early Sunday morning and tried to wait for a reasonable hour before calling our potential new landlord. 10am finally rolled around and I called and told him we were too excited and we'd drop it off right away. After a stomach in knots Sunday and a anxiety rattled Monday we were told the apartment was ours and we signed our lease!! You guys want pictures? Well, here we go!

Entering the apartment. You can understand my lack of words upon opening the door to the most beautiful townhouse apartment ever made that is perfect in every possible way ever.

Our gorgeous, if a bit off centered fire place. I've only lit one before, so please cross your fingers for us.

The dining area. Can you believe it?!

The kitchen, I don't even care that it doesn't have a fridge. Small potatoes, my friends.

Timmy Tao's Room

Timmy Tao's Closet

Timmy Tao's Bathroom. Gorgeous! 

The stairs leading up to our little love nest. Is it gross to call it a love nest with my brother now in the house?

Our bedroom. It's much longer than it is wide, and is also no longer white! (Stay Tuned)

Our Bathroom.

OUR SUNDECK! I have never had any outdoor space to call my own in Los Angeles. This is a huge personal victory :)

Another view. Also a cute shot of my babe. Hey Jeffer!

Our outdoor storage. Not much to look at, but so unbelievably rare here in Los Angeles.

Welp, so, you must think that's it...but you'd be wrong!

Whoa, what's that? A third toilet in the hizzouse?? You betcha!

We are so blessed to have found something so right for us and a house we're all so excited to make a home. I am beyond intimidated and so nervous to dive in and begin to make it look like us. I want a comfortable, but beautiful and peaceful place where friends love to hang out. I love to entertain and can't wait to start making memories here in our new crib :)

Couldn't leave you without a parting shot...

(don't mind my purse on the floor, it kinda looks like a giant rat)

~AJ

I Love Lamp

To celebrate our three years living in L.A. we went all out and....bought a new lamp! Woo hoo! Our old lamp was just so....college dorm room.

I was embarrassed when we had folks over and this is the lamp they saw when entering our abode. Sad, but true...

I especially hate the black cords running down it. "Why, Ikea?? WHY???!!"

Last weekend on a quick trip to Target, which is never quick and always turns into an all day event, Jeff and I were walking around the Americana at Brand in Glendale and jumped across the street to the much beloved Home Goods. Jeff doesn't even complain when I want to "pop in for a second" at this store. It is a mecca, a 'home goods' mecca. The thing about Home Goods is that they so rarely have floor lamps. They have table lamps aplenty, but rarely floor lamps. However, today was our LUCKY DAY. Sitting there, right in the middle of the isle were two matching floor lamps with....DRUM SHADES!! Drum shaped shades are the only acceptable lamp shade shapes in my opinion. (Say that five times fast!) I wasn't in love with the lamp completely, and I know never to make a home purchase without being so completely enamored with an item that you have.to.have.it., but I liked it well enough and we've been looking for forever (no joke!) So, without further ado, our lamp...

I love the shade, oh yes, I do!

So sexy, so handsome.

It greets me each night as I walk in after a tediously long drive home from work.

Hello, lover. Oh beacon of light that you are...oh, and Jeff too...

So, that's it! We love our new lamp :) The oiled bronze thing it has going on now is fine, but we're pretty psyched to change up our overall color scheme once we've moved. We're searching for the perfect gray rug, so the lamp will most likely be given a fresher, i.e. whiter, coat of paint.

Happy Friday!

~AJ

3 Years Baby!

 Taken from the fire escape of the first studio apartment we shared in Los Feliz.

This week is my official 3 year anniversary living in the city of Los Angeles! Not much has changed and so much has changed. Below are a few firsts that happened during our, you guessed it, first year living in Hell ahem, L.A.

First attempt at decorating the living area of our studio. Wow I thought I was doing big things. But look, we had 1 Room! It had to function as both a living space and a sleeping space and I was doing the best I could. Alright? That satisfy you? Sorry for getting so defensive there for a minute...whew...out of my system. Much of that darling miniature Ikea furniture has moved with us to our one bedroom apartment, but hopefully won't be with us much longer...

First fancy night out. We were celebrating Jeff's birthday and had dinner at the ultra luxe and now defunct Table 8. It was fabulous and Hollywood and all of those great things I had dreamed of a night out in L.A. being.

First DIY "art." Alright, it was a cool stamp and a cheap canvas and I really really loved it. It's so hip in it's two tonedness...right? Edgy, cool, oh yeah, all of that stuff.

First birthday celebrated at my old "new" job. I'd been there just over a month and my coworkers went all out and had balloons and bought me a cake! This was not just any cake either, it was a Triple Berry Shortcake from Olsen twins co-owned Sweet Lady Jane. If you know me and my love of the Olsen's you can believe how excited I was!

Though this didn't happen in the first year we lived here, this is my first attempt at decorating our first bedroom in our first one bedroom apartment. I've changed things up since then, but we're about to change them up a ton more. My brother is moving in with us to begin his post-college "oh my gosh it's time to enter the real world what have I gotten myself into" stage and Jeff and I are happy to help a brotha out. I can't wait to show you our new pad...just have to find it first...

Knock on wood for us!

~AJ

My Oldest Best Friend's New Space Part Trios

The bathroom. Where all the things not so magic happen. Once again I whipped up 4 different mood boards to show Jess and here they are. Drumroll please...

So, our Moroccan theme is clearly in play with this one...but Jessica deemed it too colorful. shoot.

No Moroccan, but Jess loves purple. This one was "too white." Strike 2

I flippin' love the bathmat here, but it's also "too white." Can't win 'em all.

My favorite here. I lovvvve gray and yellow together. Jessica's verdict, "I like 4 a lot, but something seems off to me, or like it's not quite right." I'll admit, I agree. 

Consensus: She hates them all. 

She wants color, but not too much, and a shower curtain with a print. Back to the drawing board for me!

A note about my experience web-decorating...

I love this! I really do! It's been wonderful getting creative and pulling ideas from nowhere and seeing where I can take them. I love the collaborative process, getting Jessica's perspective and seeing how and where I can blend it with my own. I have a second "client" in the works, too! My friend, Kyle, and his roommate are redecorating their living room and I've been recruited/volunteered to take it on. Oh man, two guys... Let's hope I can make this creative three-way jive. (sorry, that was a little dirty. I'm very embarrassed.)

~AJ