Decorating Dilemna

This is our current "dining area." Our living/dining room is very long and narrow, with that ledge going around the whole room. At one end of the room due to the boiler closet, the room is much narrower, creating the little "nook" you see above. It's really too narrow to do much with, and is very cramped when four people sit down to eat.

Right now on the opposite side of the room, we have our two couches up against the walls across from each other, and the TV set up at the end of the room.

To maximize space, we are thinking of ditching one couch and re-arranging the room to make three "zones" - for TV, dining table, and a bar section. The bar will go in the space pictured above.

I'm still debating how to set up this area - a vintage bar cart? Wooden wine bar with storage? Build our own?

Here's what I've been looking at for ideas:

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Vintage Bar Cart

Source: mylittleapartment.blogspot.com via Liz on Pinterest

Shelving as a bar

Source: Uploaded by user via Kim on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Could put bar stools up to the ledge as the counter and put shelving up on the walls

Source: thatssmartdeco.com via Leslie on Pinterest

Vintage dresser as bar - pretty!

Source: tumblr.com via Melissita on Pinterest

Another bar made from shelving

What do you think? Do you have a bar in your home? I'd like to see pictures if so! :)

-Kristin Lynn

Wedding Planning Update

Today we decided on a caterer and chose our Save The Date's! It feels good to get things crossed off the list. Every little bit done makes me feel so much better.

In honor of this, here are some photos I have been collecting on Pinterest for centerpiece inspiration. I plan on making my centerpieces and I am going for a simple,vintage feel.

Source: noknowsweddings.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Love the potted plants

Source: blogs.dexknows.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Very simple & romantic!

Source: theldsbride.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Love this and it would be a very easy DIY

Source: vmburkhardt.tumblr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Buttons as a vase filler

Source: stylemepretty.com via Kristin on Pinterest

So cute, especially the paper pinwheels

I can't wait to get my bridesmaids together for mimosas and crafting!

-Kristin Lynn

Halloween Party Menu

Today I pretty much finalized the menu for our upcoming Halloween party:

Via Martha Stewart

Munchies:

Authentic Kettle Corn
Habanero & French Onion dips for chips

Appetizers:

Stuffed Mushrooms
Crabbies
Nacho Pie

Desserts:

S'more Whoopie Pies
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Brownies
Mini Cheesecakes w/ Halloween Oreos

Drinks:

Bourbon Apple Cider
Red Sangria "Blood" Punch

All images via Pinterest

And of course, large amounts of Halloween candy. Now off to pick up the rest of my supplies for making decorations!

-Kristin Lynn

Fall Treats

Here are a few goodies that caught my eye recently, would love to try these out soon!

Source: explorethecabin.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Pumpkin Cheesecake via Explore the Cabin

Source: myrecipes.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Oatmeal Cream Pies via Myrecipes.com

Source: marthastewart.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Apple Crepes via Marthastewart.com

Source: abeautifulmess.typepad.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Pie Inspired Pop Tarts via abeautifulmess

-Kristin Lynn

Workin' for the Weekend

I've re-arranged our bedroom to make a small corner work space. Here is the inspiration I've been using:

Source: jandlprojects.blogspot.com via Casey on Pinterest

Love the color and use of wall space

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Source: worldmarket.com via Britni on Pinterest

Simple

Source: housetohome.co.uk via Diane on Pinterest

Great desk

Source: decor8blog.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: i224.photobucket.com via Kristin on Pinterest

-Kristin Lynn

Weekly Pins

I've been feeling motivated lately to finish decorating our apartment. It's getting to where I want, but slowly. Here is what has been inspiring me throughout the week:

Source: flickr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Painted bookshelf. Such a good way to add color.

Source: readingisfashionable.com via Kristin on Pinterest

I would LOVE this coffee table. And the vintage fan is adorable.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Great vintage dinette and camera collection. And I would also commit unspeakable acts to have a pinball machine in my home.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Kristin on Pinterest

I am going to try to talk Ian into using our closet space as a workspace for me. Such a great use of space.

Source: decoundstyle.de via Kristin on Pinterest

How awesome is this?

Source: thedecorista.tumblr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Love the neutral colors and the mirror.

-Kristin Lynn

Weekly Pins

Happy Labor Day! I am celebrating the day off with a fun sister lunch & shopping date.

Here are my pins throughout the week.. I LOVE Pinterest. So many great recipe & decorating ideas in one place. Here's what caught my eye:

1.

Source: None via Kristin on Pinterest

This is such a great idea for hanging anything too pretty to be tucked away in the closet!

2.

Source: penniesonaplatter.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Brownies. Seriously cannot wait for a reason to try these. 

3.

Source: thewanderingartist.tumblr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Sparkly pedicure. The color is Deborah Lippman in "Happy Birthday."

4. 

Source: midwestliving.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Stencilled Lampshare. Quick & inexpensive way to redecorate.

5. 

Source: plumpiecooks.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad. Yum. Would be great for packed lunches for Ian & I.

Happy pinning!

PS - the blog has undergone a little bit of a face lift. Check it out!

-Kristin Lynn

Fall Inspiration

Even though we are in the last few days of summer, the weather has been cooling off and I am thinking ahead to fall. Here are a few inspiration boards I put together from Forever 21's fall collection.

Fall Inspiration by kristin31200 featuring a stripe cardigan

Fall Inspiration by kristin31200 featuring a wire necklace

This fall I am excited about:
-Fall florals
-Lace
-Muted neutrals
-Chunky jewelry
-Colorful/patterned tights
-Pops of red & leopard print

What about you?

-Kristin Lynn

Mini Kitchen Makeover

Hello!

Ian and I are in the middle of a mini kitchen makeover. When we moved in, the kitchen walls were painted a "pea soup" green, which made the small kitchen feel dark, cramped, and unappealing. We rent, so unfortunately we are a little limited to what we can do, beyond painting. I chose a light aqua blue (Olympic's "Blue Dusk") to color to brighten up the room:

We are in the middle of finishing up painting, hopefully we will have new curtains and decorations hung up by the end of the weekend. Until then, here are a few photos from Pinterest that served as inspiration for the color scheme:

More to follow!

-Kristin Lynn

Shop Ruche

Hello!

Here are a few picks from Shop Ruche I am currently drooling over. Love the classic cuts and ladylike prints!

- Kristin Lynn