In honor of the stormy weekend ahead, I chose Tania from What Would a Nerd Wear as this week’s Look of the Week–I love the combination of the short skirt, oversized plaid, and rain boots.

Best of the Looks:

Designers should really give Christina Hendricks some dresses.

I always love MyEdit’s hair–here’s a tutuorial.

Jewelry made from books. WANT.

While we’re on the subject of jewelry I want, look at these rings.

Best of the Books:

10 Amazing Facts about Books

Secret Storage Books

See who is buying which books where, in real time! (The Book Depository)

Stay dry this weekend, friends!

It was tough to get full pictures because the bathroom is a small space, but here’s the shower from outside the door. We found a great curtain with spangles of blue sequins unfurling–I’m quite happy with it! We bought a navy handtowel, and gray and navy towels to match as well.

And here’s our sink area. The countertop is granite, which is super nice, and there’s plenty of storage underneath. We also have a small hanging cabinet on the other wall that matches, and shelves above the toilet. One of my favorite features of the bathroom is the window, which looks out on the kitchen. It’s quirky, but I like it, and a row of fabric stars that Joe has had for years hang perfectly up there.

I’m happy with this room, and it’s comforting that we’ve got at least one finished area in our island of uncertainty. But we’re making small progress every day, and I’m more and more excited about the potential of our new little abode!

Right now, Joe is reading Columbine, a detailed look at the stories behind the high school attacks in Littleton, Colarado in 1999, and I am in line to read it when he’s done.  Obviously, it will be a difficult read given the subject matter, but the cover conveys that tragedy as well with the sparse, gritty photograph, the only word “Columbine” drifting into the colorless sky. It’s moving, and it draws you in, despite the emptiness.

Last week the Empty Space Inspiration Blog showcased a list of some stunning minimalist book covers. Here are a few of my favorites:

How about you? Do you like minimalist book design or don’t you judge a book by its cover?

Here’s a shot of me in my new shorts, on my new front “stoop,” as the locals say:

I admit it–I’m totally milking the Brooklyn chic thing in my hat, my plaid, and my Converse. Anyone gotta problem with that?

I probably won’t be doing too much shopping over the next month or two due to moving and other expenses, but with so many thrift and vintage stores in New York, it’s very tempting to “challenge” myself with shopping, and I’d like to chronicle my adventures in thrifting here.

Just because, here’s a goofy shot of me in the 23rd St. subway stop, where there are hats painted on the wall so that when trains pass by fast and people are lined up a certain way, the passengers waiting on the platform look like they’re wearing hats. It’s cute, it’s kitschy, and I like it.

I had a great New York weekend–what did you guys all do?

For my first day outfit, I wore one of the more office chic dresses I have (and Tania has too!), a cardigan in case the office air conditioning was out of control, and comfortable flats to navigate the busy city sidewalks. I jazzed things up a bit with a fun necklace as well. Here’s me, on my new fire escape, in my first day of work outfit:

Work was great and I’m excited to get going on my new projects. Best of all–after making burgers for dinner, Joe and I took a walk around the neighborhood, and got amazing ice cream sundaes at the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain to celebrate.

Do you dress up for your first day stuff?

The bedroom seems to be a good starting point. Right now, we don’t have a bed (our mattress is sitting on the floor), which is okay for now, but the under-bed storage is vital when you only have one closet (my shoes are already an issue).  We would also like to get a storage boost by buying a small chest of drawers for the television. Here are a few photos for inspiration:

{image via DesignSponge}

I need a nightstand by my side of the bed because I put my glasses there, as well as my jewelry, my alarm, and whatever book I’m reading. I like the idea of “his and hers” nightstands on either side of the bed.

{image via DesignSponge}

Once we get a bed, I’d like to hang some art above it, and I like this cluster of tasteful frames.

{image via You’ve Got to See This}

I’ve had my dresser since I was a baby, so it’s small and the wooden drawers can be finicky. My mom painted it white and added gold knobs years ago (it was originally yellow), but I’m dying to add some funky and fun knobs to give it some fresh life. I like the idea of scouring flea markets and vintage shops for different knobs rather than paying the $10 a pop for the ones Anthropologie offers.

{Crate and Barrel sheets}

We’d like some new bedding. Here’s a fun article on being creative and layering patterns of sheets–definitely tempted to try it out.

Today is my last day in the apartment before starting my new job tomorrow, so I suppose I should do a little unpacking before taking a walk around the new neighborhood. Stay tuned for more design and decorating inspiration, plus plenty of photos (of the apartment, the city, and outfits!) since Joe got me a beautiful new camera for our anniversary!

Have any bedroom decorating ideas or tips? Leave ‘em in the comments please!

{image}

As I pack up my apartment in Boston, it occurs to me how much more packing is, as a process, than simply storing items in boxes to move them. Packing begins that stressful, exhilarating, and exhausting task—moving. I have not moved nearly as many times as many of my friends have. Moves back and forth between home and the dorms during college got so routine they can hardly be counted as separate moves, and my move to Florence during junior year doesn’t quite count either, since I only brought two suitcases with me. I moved home after college and lived there for two years, in the same bedroom I grew up in. My first adult move occurred when I moved to Boston four years ago for grad school, and I was astounded by the effort, thought, and emotions bundled up with the physical act of packing. Not only did I need to fill boxes with my possessions, I needed to take stock and evaluate those possessions. Which books was I going to keep and which ones would stay behind, to be left in a paper bag in my closet (where they still remain)? How far back should I keep credit card statements and cell phone bills? How many teddy bears was it logical and practical for a 24-year-old woman to take to her first adult apartment?

I was fortunate enough to live in that first adult apartment for three years, but the miserable commute and college-y neighborhood soon grew to be too much, and my roommate and I relocated across town, from Brookline to Somerville, last summer. That move was another evaluation, another taking stock of what needed to stay and what needed to go, but for the most part, it was a simple move. Our new apartment was similar in terms of space and storage, so my roommate and I didn’t have to get any new furniture (besides bookshelves that I bought because my old room had a built-in shelf) or even get rid of anything.

This move to Brooklyn is easily the biggest I’ve ever made, in terms of distance, significance, and what I’m leaving behind. I will miss many things about Boston: seeing familiar faces just about everywhere I go, the view of the Charles from the red line train every day, being so close to home, and the friends I’ve made here, just to name a few. But I’m ready to go. Then why is packing so hard?

Of course, there’s the sheer challenge of fusing two people’s stuff into a New York apartment. We have one closet, friends. One. I have become accustomed to a walk in closet in my bedroom, an extra coat closet in the living room, and a huge pantry. And now I’m faced with being very creative with my belongings—not to mention those of my boyfriend. I got rid of four bags’ worth of clothing and two shelves of books. I’ve condensed my CD collection into one booklet and have sent my parents home with my yearbooks, scrapbooks, knick knacks, boxes of photos, and shoeboxes of mementos like ticket stubs and birthday cards collected over these four years. I’m selling and giving away most of my furniture. Tonight, I will box up the rest of my closet, and I will stand over my crate full of notebooks—notebooks I’ve been writing in, on and off (mostly on), since freshman year of high school. We don’t have room for them in the new apartment. I know this. The only time I look back at them, I just end up spending hours marveling at how angsty/sad/ridiculous/melodramatic I used to be. But there’s a tiny voice telling me if I abandon those notebooks, I’m leaving behind some vital part of myself that I might not get back (though, to be honest, I’m probably better off).

Does anyone else have this problem when moving? What do you keep and what do you leave behind? And what does that mean? Do you keep your writing, your books, your old photos?

I have been jonesing for a pair of Oxfords since last fall, and I though I know I said I was going to challenge myself to only buy second-hand for the next year (I might start out with six months and see how that goes though), I am tempted to buy myself a pair for the fall, as a kind of “welcome to a new city” gift. Here are a few pairs that I like. Of course, the Fryes are my favorites. Which ones do you like?

Frye Carson Oxford ($178)

Target Taree Oxford ($20)

Chelsea Crew Master Oxford Heels ($59–via Ruche)

L.L. Bean Signature Leather Brogue Shoe ($129)

J. Crew Langford platform high heel oxfords ($278)

Ruche Rae Jazz oxfords ($33)

Very Volatile Marlena oxfords ($59–via Ruche)

Maybe I’ve got weddings on the brain since last weekend, but this week’s Best Look is Jentine from My Edit in something she wore for a wedding. I really like the color and cut of the dress, and the use of the brooches along the bodice is genius.

Best of the Looks:

A look at fitness fashion inspired by Jessica Biel at Sterling Style.

LOVE this umbrella.

Like this look–especially the necklace.

An adorable collaboration between Peanuts and Lacoste.

Best of the Books:

Jonathan Franzen on the cover of Time–what does it mean?

Book tunnel!

The new edition of the Chicago Manual of Style is here.

Fancy new Art Deco covers for Fitzgerald books at The Debonaire.

Happy weekend everyone!

Do YOU have any secrets you want to confess?