DIY before Pinterest (a la 'Trading Spaces')

The discussion was childhood shows while strolling down Market one unseasonably warm summer afternoon recently (San Francisco has those day). Who hasn’t rallied off a list of signature Nickelodeon shows together with friends?   

Racing home after school wasn’t just about the homework for me - it was about TLC’s “Trading Spaces.” No, MTV’s “TRL” was not on my list. I don’t know if it was Paige’s effervescent smile or the speedy DIY sessions that magically transformed rooms in just 30 minutes, but I was a major fan. The minute my fingers touched the front door of my home, I was racing to the couch to catch up with my favorite gay designers and those unsuspecting families.  

My pure dedication to this show had all been forgotten. It was The Learning Channel’s ode to Do-it-Yourself projects before DIY became a popular Pinterest board. How could I have missed the connection? These were real people….painting their own walls! And using a sawmill to create an armoire! It was pure genius, in my opinion, even if I was never given permission to carve, paint or mount anything in my own home.


{image via}

A New Outdoor Space

Since I've been back and forth between San Francisco and home lately, I've made it my mission to create an outdoor space in what used to be a garage in my parent's backyard. Santa Barbara's relatively moderate climate calls for an outdoor space that is both comfortable and cozy for those "winter" evenings, and I think that an outdoor living space is the perfect thing to accompany the pool and lush landscape we already have outside. I've been looking through Pinterest for some inspiration, and started watching HGTV ("Design on a Dime" is a new favorite!) for some additional ideas. It's going to be a DIY summer. 

DIY: Nails

For some reason or another, LinkedIn decided to point me in the direction of a social media expert at Ralph Lauren. Turns out that the lady, besides having a commendable resume, also has a pretty kick-ass fashion blog. After instantly becoming enamored with her sweet, go-to style and family portraits it was easy to see why the site pointed me in her direction. 

Whatever the reason, I was floored when I saw her Comme des Garcons Play nails that she did herself. Can we say DIY chic? I might be a little inexperienced to tackle these beauties just yet, but suffice it so say I was pleasantly surprised by the '2nd connection' and blog moveSlightly.  


{all images via moveSlightly}

Weekend Bits

Though I wasn't expecting much this weekend (having just returned from NYC), I managed to sneak in a DIY project {inspiration a la Glitter Guide}, pluck apples in Julian, pick a home for my Missoni tray from Target, search for pumpkins at a patch and explore a haunted trail. Since fall officially rolled in this weekend, noted by an absence of beachgoers, it was the perfect weekend to {finally} welcome San Diego to autumn.