White Interiors

I am loving stark white interiors lately. White walls, white floors, white furniture. White everything. I am attracted to how clean and airy it looks. It has a calming effect on me. Here are some of my favorite interiors:

Here

Oh. My. Goodness. So clean and crisp. I would love to wake up in this bed every morning. Any color in this room really pops. I love the use of texture -- the wood headboard (which, btw, you can make yourself here), the quilt, the furry throw. 

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Even though this little corner is cluttered, it feels clean and fresh. 

Here

This room feels very open. I love how mismatched it is -- different chairs and different sized pictures. It's so individual. This dining area definitely has a personality. 

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Another perfect dining room. The chairs are to die for. Both styles are some of my favorites. I love the contrast of the super modern Eames chair remake with the more traditional looking wishbone chairs. The sideboard almost disappears into the wall, but it has a sheen which reflects back into the room. The black pendant draws focus to the table. 

Here

I love the huge pop of color the chairs bring. The room is still so white and airy, but the chairs add some quirk. The table is amazing. The great thing about a white interior is that you can get away with more chunky furniture without weighing down the room. And, I can't not mention the chandelier. How amazing is the geometric frame?

Here

This kitchen has a more rustic feel than some of the other rooms. The brick adds so much dimension and texture. The many uses of greenery make the room so approachable. I love the barstools. I'm a sucker for a pop of yellow. Also, they're similar to the iconic Tolix chairs that I love. 

Here

While a little darker, this kitchen is based in white. The black adds dimension, the tile backsplash adds texture, and the bronze pendant adds some glam. The Lucite chairs and stainless steel table keep the room fresh and light. 

Staining My Clothes

Go to college and start becoming a grown up. That was the idea. And yet, I find myself suddenly rediscovering my childhood pleasures: Disney movies, coloring books, juice pouches, and TIE-DYE.

Before starting college, I hadn't tie-dyed anything in around ten years. And I probably would've continued that way except that I got a job where I have to wear either white or tie-dye and I got an RA with an enthusiastic passion for the stuff.

See, nice clean trays!

We're so neat and prepared!

Last week, a couple of my friends and I spent Friday night making a mess in the laundry room. I mean, we used trays and had paper towels handy - we had every intent of being perfectly neat. But see, we're not pros at this and we laugh a lot so we jerk a lot. So, yeah, we spill a lot
too. 

Colors fly!

Then it begins.

But despite the incredible amount of dye all over the floor and all over ourselves, we had a blast. It's exciting, not really knowing how your project is going to turn out.

I haven't enjoyed myself so much in a long time. Between classes, essays, work, and sleep, there's not a lot of time left for fun. But I also realize that I should make time. Right after sticking her hands wet-concrete style into the tray of spilled dye, one of my friends says, "My parents would be so proud of me for doing something fun!" If that's not a sign that we need to live a little, then you need to get your eyes checked because that's a sign.

 Okay, so everything from my nails to my elbows will be spotted with dye for the next few days, but there is actually not a single reason for me to care. There's just something so freeing about deliberately staining my clothes.

Note the horrible color combo in my tray... Results to come.

We really did make a mess...

Just a few of the finished products!

This is what happens when your fuchsia mixes with your yellow...
Brown. Gross, stupid brown.

Bright Floral Letter

I recently embarked on a total room makeover. For a long time I have wanted a large letter "M" (for Madison, of course) incorporated into my decor. I think they are so classy and are a great way to portray your style. So, I decided to couple that desire with my love for Lana Del Rey and the flower crown. The product is a super bright and springy floral M that is a new focal point in my space.

I found the tutorial for this project over at The Sassy Life. Kaite and I created the masterpiece last Saturday afternoon when we were feelin' crafty. We changed very little from the original tutorial, except the material for the letter. We couldn't find a paper maché letter anywhere in town, so we made our own out of two pieces of foam board (This isn't advisable if you can find a pre-made letter. Ours was difficult to cut out.). I also added some ribbon around the edges, since they were not smooth.

I bought a lot of faux flowers. A lot. 

The next thing we had to do, of course, was take a bunch of photos of ourselves with the flowers. We had to get our money's worth, right?

  

Kaite's beautiful letter design.

So many flowers! Designing the layout was the best part.

Finished product. So cute!

Placed it on my desk. A cute backdrop for when I'm studying!

I think this project turned out pretty well! It looks so good! The best part is, it wasn't too difficult. It took us a good 3 hours, but the results are amazing and totally worth it. The whole project was under $50. That's still a pretty steep price, but fake flowers are expensive! I love having something that looks so bright and alive. Even though the flowers are fake, it's like bringing the beautiful outdoors inside. The best part is, the flowers will last year round! I have fallen in love with this project. 

What Time is It? Spring Time!

The warmer months are upon us. Yesterday I put away my winter sweaters and brought out the bright, airy tank tops. If you are anything like me, you tailor your whole ensemble to the season. One of my crucial accessories is the watch. Both practical and stylish, a watch can add so much to an outfit.

Just like my clothes, I change watches with the seasons. The color or material of a watch makes it appropriate for certain seasons. For example, dark brown tortoise or black metal are fall or winter watches, while white leather or pink braided watches are indicative of spring and summer. Coordinating your watches with clothes as well as seasons makes for a more cohesive and classy look.

I am currently shopping for a new spring watch. I'm looking for something oversized and silver, but not too flashy. In my search I have found so many cute watches perfect for spring. My favorites are shared below.

Nixon Silver Kensington $235.18

I love Nixon watches. They are well made and always stylish. This watch is very plain, but the oversized face makes it stand out. The case is 37mm, so it will be fairly large on your arm. The silver color is great for spring. It's bright, shiny, and goes with every outfit. 

Kate Spade Odometer Metro in White $175

Kate Spade is one of my favorite all around brands. It is not surprising that they have fantastic watches. This watch has a very class look, but it still has the quirk and personality that Kate Spade is famous for. The watch is designed to look like an odometer, which I think is amazingly cute! The white and gold scheme is so perfect for spring. 

Fossil Electro Tick Leather Watch in Sand $295

Rose Gold is very on trend this spring, so this Fossil watch is perfect for the stylish girl. I love the juxtaposition of glitzy and electronic. The watch looks cool and modern. It might not be the perfect everyday watch, but this piece would make quite the statement. 

Kate Spade Gramercy Mini in Silver $225

I love small watches for springtime. This one from Kate Spade is incredibly cute and classy. It's perfect for the girl with a small wrist or just someone who wants something adorable. The Gramercy Mini is the perfect dainty watch that will go with any outfit. Very Betty Draper. 

Coach Teagan Stainless Steel and Silicon Rubber Strap Watch in Pink $158

If you want to make a statement for spring, try a bold colored watch. Hot pink is a great color for spring and brings a feminine flair to any outfit. The strap of this watch is rubber, which adds a cool and casual vibe. 

Oasis Mixed Metal Links Watch $84.66

For a cheaper option, this watch from Oasis is amazing. Perfect for the girl who can't choose a favorite metal, it features both silver and gold. You never have to worry about matching your jewelry to your watch again! It is a great everyday watch that matches everything. Incredibly versatile, you can wear this watch from day to night with jeans and an oxford during the day and a little black dress at night. 

A Chai Dilemma

Hello, my name is Kaite and I am addicted to chai lattes.

It's a fact. It's also a key player in my perpetual state of almost-broke. Last weekend was the moment I realized I needed help. Within three days, I had four large chais, all from different establishments. Yes, I am aware that I have a problem. Or do I? 

Recently, Starbucks launched their new "Oprah Chai." The icon herself teamed up with Teavana to create her own special blend. With every purchase of an Oprah Chai, Starbucks gives a donation to benefit youth education. You can read much more on the Starbucks website: Teavana Oprah Chai Tea Debuts at Starbucks and Teavana Stores in the U.S. and Canada.

So, maybe my excessive consumption of chai lattes isn't such a bad thing. As long as I always get Oprah Chai from Starbucks, my broke-ness can be for a good cause! Except... I don't like Oprah Chai. 

Don't get me wrong; I'm not saying that it's bad. I just don't prefer it. So, let me rephrase: I prefer the original Starbucks chai to Oprah Chai. But how can I justify not ordering Oprah Chai? What kind of person chooses less-gingery flavor over a child's education? How inconsiderate! How selfish!

It seems I still have a problem. Maybe I'll just stick to Dutch Bros. for a while... Because, you know, running away from your problems is a solid way to live.

The Instant Comeback

If you are at all attentive to social media, you've heard: the instant camera is back.

I know, I know - I'm late to the party.

Ever since the Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 started popping up on my tumblr feed, I've been in deep want. And then Ariana Grande got one. And then my roommate got one. And then I was feeling left out. So I got one. And can I just say: best decision ever.

I love it! It's so much fun and it's so easy. What I want to know is why instant cameras ever went out of style in the first place. Who decided that the emergence of digital cameras meant we had to put the good ole' Polaroid on a shelf to sit and look vintage?

One of my favorite things about an instant camera is that it forces me to think about every picture I take. There are no redos. You can't delete them. Sure, you can throw them away, but, uh... I SPENT AN ENTIRE DOLLAR ON THAT. So, no. I won't be tossing any "bad" photos. And I'll be glad for that down the road. Every "bad" picture is probably a good memory. And who'd want to throw one of those away?

The memories I've caught with this camera are some of the best ones I've made during my young college career. My roommate and I use little clothes pins to hang them on a hemp string above our desk (I won't argue if you now think of us as Hipsters 1 and 2). It's a great way to add some interest to your room and give you a nice dose of happy flashbacks when you're cramming for finals. We caption and date each picture and I can't wait until I'm 47-years-old and my teenager pulls out a stack of these and I get to tell them the story behind each one. Sidenote: If my kid doesn't do this, I will be very disappointed.

There's a pretty good selection of instant cameras to choose from (check out Amazon). And not just Fujifilms - it's not commonly known as a "Polaroid" for nothing. I chose the Instax Mini 8 because I wasn't looking for anything fancy and also because the camera itself isn't too pricey - the film is where it hurts. If you buy film from a store it's usually $1 per shot. That's a lot to ask of a college kid. But if you do a little shopping around online, you can find some better deals. If you're of the artsy-hipster variety, I'd suggest the Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic. It's pretty rad. It also costs twice as much. But, hey. You do you.

Really, though. I'm stoked instants are back and I hope they stick around for a bit.