A Living Room Transformation for the Books!

When I typed "Be in love with my apartment" as one of my goals for 2014, I had no idea what exactly that meant. I knew that my apartment had potential, but never in my wildest dreams did I expect a transformation like this one. With one trip to IKEA and a little TLC, my living room has become a Pinterest-worthy space fit for a queen! Believe me, this transformation is one for the books!

Here I am with my IKEA goodies, after our shopping trip in February.

The following Monday, my Dad and Brother made their way to Boone to put together all of my new furniture. While I was at work, they assembled absolutely everything. It's safe to say that I didn't even recognize my own apartment, when I came home that day!

BEFORE:
Keep in mind that when I first moved in, just over a year ago, I was in a hurry. I had just moved back to Boone for a new job, and though apartment decor was on my mind, I wasn't looking invest a lot of time/money in new furniture.

It was super plain and sadly, super "college."

AFTER: 
Love at first sight!

Now that I've seen what a little re-decorating can do, I'm ready to re-do the entire apartment!

Item Guide:
Couch: IKEA
Love Seat: IKEA
Wall Canvas: IKEA
Curtains: IKEA
Clear Acrylic Chair: IKEA (May only be in store)
White Table: (Old) Walmart
Coffee Table: Target
Quatrefoil Rug: Target
Pillows: (Old) Target
Quatrefoil Pillows: (Old) TJ Maxx
Floral Lamp: (Old) Target
Acrylic Lamp: Gift
Sex and the City Poster: Gift

My Next Project: My Bedroom

After seeing the fabulousness that is my living room, I've already started working on re-decorating my bedroom! I can't wait for you to see the finished product!

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The SJP Collection for Nordstrom

From the earliest Sex and the City days, we all remember Carrie Bradshaw and her innate love for Manolo Blahniks. I mean, can you blame her? Carrie's treasured strappy sandals are just as much a necessity today as they were years ago! It was no surprise when Sarah Jessica Parker herself announced she'd be teaming up with Manolo Blahnik CEO, George Malkemus III, for her brand new shoe line, The SJP Collection, to be sold exclusively at Nordstrom.

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The line is made up of 25 different shoes, including wedges, booties, flats, and of course, the stiletto heel, that we all know and love, along with a few handbags and coats. Each shoe in the collection has a name, and when asked how they were chosen, SJP said "A lot of the names come from women I’ve admired. Some are women I’ve never met, some are friends. Names I never got to name my children."

Since the line's launch in late February, The SJP Collection has been popping up in Nordstrom stores across the country. Sarah Jessica has even popped up in a few stores herself, meeting fans and signing her infamous shoes. You can have a pair of your own, as long as you don't mind spending between $195-$500 for a set of these beauties. For truly devoted fans, the hefty price tag won't stand in the way of walking in the shoes of Sarah Jessica Parker.

Though you can view the full line here, below are a few of my favorites from The SJP Collection:

SJP "Maud" Sandal = $375.00

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SJP "Bobbie" Sandal in Mint = $365.00

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SJP "Fawn" Pump = $350.00

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SJP "Bobbie" Sandal in Coral = $365.00

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 Will you be indulging in the SJP Collection? Which shoe is your favorite?

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New York City Vacay: Day Three!

Today on the blog, I'm rounding up my New York-themed posts with a summary of day three of our trip! As you can tell by the first two days, we didn't have much free time, and our last full day in NYC was no different!

We started our morning at Rockefeller Center, checking out The Today Show studios, then headed to the Evergreen Diner on West 47th Street for breakfast. This place was delicious, and was definitely somewhere I'd visit again! Alex and I enjoyed omelets, while Danielle ate one of the best waffles she'd ever had!

Right after breakfast, we rode the subway to The Plaza Hotel on 5th Avenue. This famous hotel was the meeting location for our Sex and the City Tour that day!

We booked our tour through On Location Tours, and it was fabulous! At $49.00 per person, it was worth every penny, and I would even consider doing it again. Our tour guide, Lou, was amazing at her job, and you could tell she enjoyed every minute of it!

After boarding the tour bus, we made our way around Manhattan, from 5th Avenue to Greenwich Village and everywhere in between. Though most of the tour was spent riding on a bus, we did make a few stops along the way. The first was at the Pleasure Chest in the West Village, where Charlotte of SATC bought her first "rabbit." Anyone recall that episode?

Our next stop was at the famous Buddakan restaurant in the Meatpacking District, where Carrie and Big's rehearsal dinner and New Year's Eve scenes from the first SATC movie were filmed.

Next, we made our way to Onieal's Grand Street Bar in Little Italy. This doubled as Aiden and Steve's bar "Scout," named after Aiden's dog from the SATC series. Cosmopolitan's were their specialty, and I couldn't leave without one!

After a tour of the West Village (which I'm now in love with) and another cupcake from Magnolia Bakery, where Carrie tells Miranda she has a crush on Aiden, we ended our tour in Times Square. 

I have to admit, I was super disappointed when the tour didn't stop at Carrie's apartment in the West Village. After a bit of Googling and a quick subway ride, we were able to find her exact apartment on Perry Street!

This was my favorite thing we did in New York City!

I didn't watch Sex and the City until I turned 22 (thanks, Samantha!) and I immediately fell in love! Watching the entire series from beginning to end twice taught me so much about life, love and friendships. It was such an amazing and surreal moment standing in front of Carrie's apartment, where so many of the SATC scenes were filmed!

After a quick trip to Chinatown and a lot of walking later, we were back at the Loft getting ready for a night on Broadway! Though I loved the LBD that I wore, my main focus that night was staying warm. It was frigid outside, and even snowed once we made it to Times Square! I had on a coat, scarf, hose, gloves and sweater on top of my dress, and I was still cold!

We knew that it wouldn't be a trip to NYC without seeing something on Broadway, and Wicked was right up our alley! Here I am outside of the Gershwin Theatre on West 51st Street.

Alex and me right before taking our seats!

This was my very first Broadway show, and it definitely won't be my last! I'd love to be able to see a show every time I go to New York City!

The show lasted from 8:00 until around 11:00PM, and was absolutely fabulous! Definitely go see it if you have a chance!

We still hadn't had dinner by then, so we made a quick stop at a SBARRO in Times Square. Though I would've rather had something a little more New York, it was late and freezing cold (probably in the teens with the wind chill,) so I wasn't trying to search for another restaurant. 

We got back to the Loft that night, packed our things and got ready to leave early the next morning. I'm still in disbelief as to how fast those three days went by! At the airport the next day, I was already planning my next trip to the city.

A few necessities before my fight home!

Being in New York City is like living in a place where you have the best of music, art and entertainment right at your fingertips…and don't forget about the shopping! It's completely different from any place I've ever been before, and it's absolutely fascinating. Though I'm nowhere near ready to make a move, who knows what the future may hold?!

If you missed the beginning of my trip, you can read about day one and day two here!

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One Year & 20 Things To Do!

After a full week of completely neglecting my blog, I am finally back (at least for now) and ready for some normal posting! Woohoo! 

Today, I wanted to update you on a post that I did back in November, about the 20 things I want to accomplish during my first year in Boone. Now, five months later, and halfway through April, I thought it was a great time to check-in on what I've been up to!

20 Things to do by August 1st, 2013:

Go to the gym every day for a full week
I can't remember for sure if I've gone to the gym 7 days in a row, but I've been following my 10K training plan for 7 weeks now, so I'd say that counts!

Learn the names of everyone in my office

Watch 10 movies that I've never seen

Though I haven't seen 10 new movies, I did buy the entire Sex and the City series. It was amazing! Definitely worth the investment!

Make friends with a neighbor

Yes! I met a girl named Katie through my friend Tara at work. Though she doesn't live in my apartment now, she'll be moving in come July! I can't wait to hangout with her!

Take Paisley to the Greenway

Even though Paisley lives with my family now, while she was in Boone, we made a trip to the Greenway, and she loved it. She was barking and sniffing everything in sight!

Spend a day in downtown Blowing Rock

My sweet friend Marcia and I spent the day downtown a couple of weeks before Christmas. There were so many fun shops to go into and explore!

Do something fun for New Years Eve

This year for New Year's Eve, I went to my friend Gwyn's apartment. I was also with her for NYE 2012, so it was fun to reminisce about the year that had passed.

Personalize my new desk

Attend an Appalachian basketball game

Do something that benefits my whole office (bring breakfast, write birthday cards, something!)

Eat at 5 restaurants that I've never tried

Make my new apartment warm, inviting and like home

As soon as I walk in the door, I immediately feel relaxed and at ease. Mission accomplished!

Make time to grab coffee before going to work (or buy a Keurig!)

Though I haven't bought coffee before going to work, I have made time to pick up breakfast, even better in my book!

Visit a new church

As soon as I'm able to stay in Boone for a full weekend, I definitely want to do this! Lately, I've had a commitment at home every weekend, so I attend the church that I'm a member of at home.

Go hiking on the parkway

The weather just warmed up in Boone, so I'm looking forward to doing this super soon!

Read 10 new books

Cook dinner for a group of friends

Go skiing 

Buy an outfit from a local boutique

Throw a super fun housewarming party
I haven't done this yet, but I've decided that I'm staying in the same apartment for another year, so maybe with a little added TLC, my place will be ready to show off by then!

Not too shabby for it only being April! I've still got four months to go!

The items that are crossed out are ones that I have completed.

Any item that is underlined is currently in the works!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!