Your Weekend - Recommended Blog Reading

Happy freaking Friday!  Oh I am so very happy the weekend is here!  I'm excited to:

1. Sleep in past 6am
2. Drink my morning coffee in a leisurely fashion
3. Stay in my pajamas until lunch
4. Meet some girlfriends for breakfast on Saturday
5. Pick out a paint color for our STILL builder-white laundry room because next week we'll be taking delivery of these babies:

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Yes, we got them in cherry red folks.  I was thinking graphite all the way but getting them in red (at a great sale price!) got us a higher quality set for our money.  Plus, red is so much fun and laundry is so....not.  I'm thinking this energetic color in the laundry room will make me smile when I'm sorting my whites from my colors. 

So a full on makeover of the laundry room is in swing!  This first stage will be paints and prettying up the storage situation with bins, jars and baskets.  Ultimately I plan on installing a countertop for folding, some artwork and a new shade for the window.  I'd love a little beadboard here too.  We'll see!  I'll definitely get you some before and afters along the way.

Well, that's my weekend plan. Oh, I also plan on cruising by a few of my favorite blogs to do a closer read (with pajamas on and coffee in hand) of some gorgeous and inspiring posts.  On my list:

Have a plain old tray that needs a glam holiday (or any day really) makeover?  Janell at Isabella & Max Rooms shares a super easy tutorial that will sexy up any bar area with a little gold leaf action.

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Have you always wondered how bloggers and magazine types take such dreamy photos?  Head on over to Centsational Girl for tips and "How To's" that will have you taking better photos in no time.

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I love fashion blogs and my latest discovery (thank you Pinterest!) is The Daybook.  Sydney is stunning, (that's her in the photo below)  hilarious and she has really great, accessible style.  Be sure to also check out her "Tutorials" page.

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The holiday issue of Rue Magazine is out!  I can't wait to sink my teeth into it this morning.  There's lots of eye candy.  A tease:

You read this blog so chances are you've probably reupholstered a basic chair seat or two in your lifetime.  No tutorial necessary for you guys on that thank you very much!  So how about reupholstering a picture-back chair?  Head on over to Design Sponge for a very helpful, step-by-step tutorial.

Made By Girl features the work of an incredible home stylist and decorator Ana Antunes.  I'm drooling over all the pretty going on there.  I am an absolute sucker for detail shots and she doesn't disappoint:

Have a wonderful weekend!

5 Design Blogs I Read Everyday

I really love checking out what other Designer-Bloggers are doing. Seeing the incredible projects that these ladies are doing is such a great way to be inspired.  However, (and I don't know if I'd really call this a downside per se) reading one great blog inevitably leads me to reading all of the other blogs that they are reading too.  Before I know it, a couple of hours have gone by and my poor blog sits lonely and neglected while I devour all of that other fantasic stuff.

There are dozens of blogs that I check out weekly but these five are my tried and true, never lets me down with their amazing writing, projects or photos to keep me coming back every single day.  I highly recommend you check them out.  But beware: inspiration will most definitely ensue and I can't be held responsible for you going out and blowing Friday's paycheck on paint and power tools.

In no particular order, my blog crushes:

Centsational Girl

She sews, she paints.  This girl even tiles her own backsplash and along the way she takes some pretty fabulous photos to boot.  Check out her Project Gallery for some helpful tutorials to explain how she does it all.  Kate used to be a prosecuting attorney who turned her love for design and DIY into an incredible blogging career.  Her post on Risk Taking is one of my all-time favorites!

Bryn Alexandra 

Such a pretty blog!  I love checking out her gorgeous design boards, she has such a beautiful design style and just seems super nice.

MFAMB (My Favorite and My Best)

Finally, a design blogger who says "fuck", "bullshit" and "vagina" on a regular basis and I couldn't love it more!  Her writing is absolutely hysterical and she also happens to have crazy gorgeous taste.  Do I want to work with her or get raging drunk with her?  I'm thinking either one would be a blast.   

Isabella & Max Rooms

This woman is the blogger I want to be when I grow up.  She has timeless style and is just so....together.  I have to admit a little good-natured jealousy when it comes to her ability to knock out the projects like gangbusters.   Instead of inspiring envy it just plain inspires me.  The things she has done with painters dropcloths alone is just...craftiness on a level approaching genius.

Better After

Whenever I need the instant gratification of seeing a completed project, I head right over to this blog.  Everything from Craigslist and curbside rescue makeovers to entire room remodels, contributed by readers and other bloggers, is showcased here.  A makeover of my very own was once a feature and no, that didn't guarantee it a spot on my list.  It certainly didn't hurt its chances either!  Seriously, this blog will have you scouring yard sales and thrift stores for anything you can paint bright yellow.

There you have it, my list of 5 fabulous design/DIY blogs to check out daily.  Happy exploring!