The Dining Table Chronicles Vol. 3

Right now the dining table is looking like dark walnuty goodness. I had to put four coats of stain on it because the top looked stripey, it still does (especially in the photo) but it looks much much better. Actually it looks good. I am giving the stain a couple days to fully dry and I am going to spend some time dusting the apartment before I apply poly. Next time I post about the table it will be done and I will give a full how-to on the whole process.

In other news, because I am restless and have a million different projects I want to tackle I am already started on the next one. Here's a hint

Sit On It

s the table re-finishing project moves along I can't help but think about how badly I want some new chairs to go with it, and of course how I would like to (re)decorate the whole dining/office area. I am dreaming after these beauties but unfortunately being fun-employed means I don't have enough pennies to buy these =[

They are of course the Eiffel Tower Wire Chairs if you happen to have four sitting around your house that you want to donate to charity me then I will think you are the most awesome person in the world and I want to raid your house for whatever other awesome treasures you have but until then I will just be oogling over them through my computer screen and thinking how good they would look with my table every time I walk to the kitchen.

Up next on my wish list is a card catalog, I have been looking for an awesomely priced one for years with no luck but I am hopeful. I especially like how they used this card catalog to store the booze–perfect for my dining/office area. I mean drinking is appropriate while dining and it is sometimes necessary while doing homework.

Image via apartment therapy

So there you go, what my greedy consumerist mind is coveting right now. I am insatiable I tell ya....JK (sorry for typing JK but it seemed appropriate)

Back to Summer School

am starting my summer semester today, so after a month of doing almost nothing I am about to begin the most stressful and busy seven weeks of my life and while I am nervous and excited about my classes, I thought I would put together a little compilation of things that would make going to class a little easier.

1. Botanical Notebook–I usually spend a good amount of time picking out a notebook for the semester, I want something that is good to look at and doesn't take up too much space in my bag. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I have a bunch of empty pages from my spring semester notebook so I will be using that this summer.

2. Snacks are an essential. My classes are three hours long and having something in my bag keeps me from wasting money on one of the many eateries in San Francisco.

3. My favorite pens– Sharpie pens used to be my fave and I still love them but they are impractical because they run out of ink too quickly. These however, write smoothly, last a long time, and come in a bunch of colors.

4. This backpack is perfection. The frost green is my favorite color and I have been wanting an actual backpack for awhile, I usually just use a big purse or an art bag if I am toting around a bunch of supplies. I do wish that this color was available in the Big size.

5. Sandals aren't always appropriate in San Francisco, so for the few months of warmth I want to show off my pretty painted toenails in these.

6. I am constantly snapping pictures of things that remind me with my phone but lately my phone has been stupid and the battery lasts four minutes so picture time isn't really possible, I think this camera may be just the thing to keep me feeling inspired and from smashing my phone with a hammer out of frustration.

7. Sunglasses are a necessity for me even on foggy days since my eyes are pretty sensitive to light, and you can't go wrong with these classics.

8. I already have a bike and she (I call her Sheila) is great but that doesn't stop me from lusting after this beauty. On days that I didn't feel like making the two mile walk to school I would love to be riding on this bright and cheery bike.

9. I have been using my Klean Kanteen for almost five years and I love it but with my long days at school and the warm weather my water doesn't stay as cold as I would like it to so I think that this bottle would be a great upgrade.

So those are the things that would brighten up my summer semester, is there anything I should be using/coveting and missed?

Weekend Getaway-Big Bear Lake

omorrow morning Patrick and I are heading down to Big Bear Lake with his family for the weekend to help his parents move in permanently to a cabin that they have had near the lake since, well, practically since forever. Patrick's parents had planned on moving down to their cabin when they retired but when his Dad recently got a job offer, the move came a little sooner than anticipated. I am so happy that they will be living in their dream location but have to admit that I am pretty bummed that they wont be near us anymore. Why is it that the older I get the more I want to have family near by?

I had planned on packing earlier today but now it is after ten and procrastination has gotten the best of me and instead of actually packing I have put together an outfit that I would love to be wearing while exploring around the lake.

 1. Keeping the sun out of my eyes would look a lot cuter if I were wearing these cute sunnies, as opposed to making my very awkward squinty face.

2. I very rarely walk out the door without wearing a cardigan and I love everything about this one.

3. I try not to wear t-shirts these days because I spent the majority of my life wearing nothing but t-shirts, I would however stop my moratorium for this whale of a good time tee.

4. These sandals look cute enough to not be embarrassed for wearing but also comfy enough to hike to Castle Rock.

5. I love colored shorts (and pants), I also love that these are long enough that I wouldn't have to worry about showing too much.

6. Of course a cute bag rounds out the look and this one is perfect because it is a camera bag so I can make sure to capture all of my adventures.

So that is my very colorful outfit that I would love to wear in Big Bear, I guess I better go start actually packing my bag with things I actually own.