Internet Window-Shopping

I was bored. So I went internet window-shopping at 1stDibs. Again. I should choose a site like Old Navy to visit, where I might actually have a chance of purchasing something. But these are such pretties! And most importantly, few and far-between pieces whose rarity warrants their price tags. You know, for someone other than me.

1940 Mirror by Gio Ponti featuring Etched Astrological Signs - adorable, sassy (mm hmm!) piece for a teenager's room.

19th Century American General Store Counter - if I owned a home goods store, this would be the sales counter. If I owned a sandwich shop (Jeb!), this would be the ordering station. If I was a seamstress, this would be my sewing table. Even Samantha from Sex & the City could lay across this counter and drape herself in sushi and everything would be all good. You get the picture. It's awesome.

1960's Italian Aldo Tura Lacquered Parchment Desk with Brass Trim - I could procrastinate for hours at this desk. So shiny!

1940s French Iron X-Based Stools - totally versatile. Usable in any room (though I wouldn't suggest velvet for the kitchen . . . ). Cute Greek key details.

Early 20th Century Carved-Back Swedish Sofas - I even like them in their current fabric. Classics.

Whew, that was an exhausting day of shopping. I think I deserve a cookie.

All photos from 1stdibs.com

Forecast Friday: String Bikini

Well I sure as hades won't be wearing it, but no doubt I will see one when it officially hits . . . 75 degrees!

Not sure what the public indecency law is around here, but given that we had tee shirts and shorts when it hit 39 degrees one day in January, some beered-up folks could go overboard.

Just saying. I'll carry my trusty camera in case.

The Brat Stop

Just a few miles over the Wisconsin-Illinois border, in the same region as these two delights, is the Brat Stop. Though this one lacks the architectural integrity of Mars Cheese Castle and the intimate feel of Bobby's, it remains an emblem of Wisconsin gastronomy: big portions, tasty food, a side of grease, and good prices.

Prime location: 'tween a Taco Bell and Sunoco. 

Yes, capacity for 2000. The roof appeared to be a metal tent. No expense spared on decor. Menus = awesome.

Stand outs? The brat (duh) and the Reuben. Unfortunately, starved as we were (we were completely sidetracked on our way home by the "Pleasant Prairie" outlet mall), I forgot to take a picture of the food until it was almost gone.

Interesting side note? Most delicious fries ever. The smushy kind, similar to McDonald's. That coffee cup up top holds German potato salad, which tasted neither German nor potato-like.

Another notch on the belt that is our mid-west eating life! A notch looser, of course.

1st Quarter Review

As we near the end of March and 2010's first quarter, I thought I'd give myself a review on this year's resolutions:

1. Spend more time pursuing my favorite things to do: writing, reading, any and all things home design related, and less time ruining brain cells on terrible reality television, etc.

Writing workshop with five 40+ women? Check. Posting five times a week (these puppies can take up to two hours to write!)? Check. Am still reading Jane Austen's Mansfield Park, which is, for lack of a better word, boring. Plus, obsession with home design continues in a new direction, courtesy of "Milwaukee Recreation." Oh yes, the fine city of Milwaukee offers classes to the public in a plethora of genres. Come April, I will be taking a weekly course on Interior Design and Drafting. As for that last one - hmm, the "Top Chef" and "The Bachelor" seasons ended, freeing those hours up . . . for "America's Next Top Model," "Top Chef Masters" and "The Real Housewives of New York".

2. Get this traitor of a back in shape.

Well, yoga threw my back out. So I haven't been back and have hit the lame, old-person bicycle (physical therapist's suggestion) instead, with the occasional run mixed in. Also purchased a guest bed that is one step up from bare concrete for those nights when my back is bad. Our lucky guests!

3. Get more education.

Interior Design class, an Intro to French class and a Beginner's Sewing class all start in April. Practically a genius! Though I don't think this was the education I was referring to. Have not matriculated or received official student ID from local institution.

4. Do something that scares me.

Gained a few pounds courtesy of birthday bonanza and trip to Miami. Terrifying. Especially when you throw leggings in the mix. I'd say that one's a yes.

5. As always, be a better daughter and friend. I have a physical aversion to the phone and it's flat-out childish.

Still childish and allergic to phone.

6. Drink nicer wine.

Jon and I discovered Bota Box 'o wine from our local small, organic grocery store and it's actually quite good. So this one is also a no. Though we did attend one fancy-shmancy wine tasting where we were completely out of our league and both got hammered. Total novices.

7. Get at least one of these done. And not counting #6.
Got quite a few done. And shockingly, not #6.

Better step it up this next quarter on the wine front!

DIY for Even the Simplest Simpleton

I reupholstered my headboard with new fabric a few years ago, but seeing how easy it would be to replicate its shape from scratch, I wouldn't buy the original piece again. In fact, I plan on making a headboard for our guest room, once the Milwaukee weather warms up and I'm allowed to use the jigsaw again. 

Never. Saw. Inside. Dust = cleaning nightmare.

CasaSugar, one of my favorite home decor resource sites, posted these simple steps to creating your own headboard. With just one stop to Home Depot, a visit to your local fabric store (such as Jo-Ann or Hancock) and the use of your own/borrowed-from-your-cute-handy-neighbor's tools, you could be showing off a new headboard in a matter of hours.

Photo via CasaSugar.com

Text from CasaSugar.com:

The supplies you'll need:

• Piece of 1/2-inch plywood cut to the width of your bed frame and desired height (54"w for full, 60"w queen, 34"h). $17
• 1/2-inch foam to cover surface area of one side of the plywood (i.e. 54" x 34", etc). $2.50
• 3 yards of 54" batting. A queen-size bag will do. $11
• Staple gun and staples. Borrowed
• 2-3 yards of fabric. (I bought 3 yds. and have some to spare, so 2 yds. will probably do.) $24
• French Natural Nailhead Trim — available at Joann's Fabrics, eBay seller nails-to-you ($8.50), DIY Upholstery Supply ($15). $8.50
• Hammer or rubber mallet. Owned

Total Cost: $63!

Now, onto the steps . . .

1. Head to Home Depot and have them cut your piece of plywood to size. They'll do it for free. If you want to screw your headboard directly into your bed, rather than hang it from the wall, you may want to have them cut you legs from the scrap plywood.
2. Lay your plywood on the floor. Lay the foam on top of the plywood and staple it down, just in the four corners. If it's not a perfect shape, you may need to cut smaller pieces from the roll of foam and arrange them to fit.
3. Unroll your batting and stretch it out flat across the floor. If it's already folded in two layers, leave it like that, you'll want two layers. Center the plywood, foam side down, on top of the batting, making sure there's room to fold the batting onto the backside of the plywood.
4. Begin stapling the batting to the back side of the plywood, pulling it tautly as you go. When you reach the corners, fold them nicely like you would a present. Continue all the way around.
5. Make sure your fabric is ironed or steamed if it has wrinkles.
6. Lay your fabric on the floor, front side down. Lay the plywood down on top of it, foam/batting side down, with at least two or three inches of fabric around the edges of the plywood all the way around. Cut off excess fabric if needed.
7. Begin stapling your fabric to the backside of the plywood, pulling it tautly as you go. When you reach the corners, be extra careful to fold them neatly like a present.
8. Next up: the nailhead trim! The nailhead trim is basically a strip of nailhead that you only have to nail in every fifth nail. This saves a lot of time and makes lining up the nails a cinch. Decide what pattern you're going to go with ahead of time. I chose two rows of trim, but you could easily go with one, or even get more complicated. I wrapped my hammer in a sock so it wouldn't scratch the nailhead, but a rubber mallet will also work.
9. Start at the bottom and begin nailing in the trim, checking to make sure it's a straight line as you go. When you get the corners, you may have to snip off some of the trim, and hammer in real nailheads depending on the length and width you're going for. Repeat as necessary until you've completed the trim.
10. Fini! If you're going to hang your headboard, I'd recommend screwing in two heavy duty D-ring picture hangers into the back of the headboard, and hanging them from a screw or hook on your wall. If you want to attach the headboard to your bed, you can screw plywood legs to the headboard and them bolt them to your bed frame.

Sale Steal!

Loving this Garrett Sofa from Jayson Home & Garden:

$1996.00 - includes the sand-colored linen slipcover, down-feather cushions and three throw pillows (not pictured). Great tailored shape.

www.jaysonhomeandgarden.com

"30 is the New Black"

- Susanna Thompson, genius

And now you will no longer hear any more mention of me being 30. Life must return as it was in my twenties.