what i got for christmas

i've gotta tell ya, having a wishlist really made this christmas great, because i got so many things i had been wanting for a long time.  a lot of them were even featured in my "what i want wednesday" posts.

Too bad I haven't really been able to enjoy any of my gifts, because I had my wisdom teeth out last Tuesday and I'm still in a lot of pain, and I learned the hard way that painkillers make me really sick.  I couldn't go to holiday festivities, I couldn't even get out of bed on Christmas morning, I opened my presents in bed.  I'm back at work today (begrudgingly - I was supposed to come back yesterday but couldn't) and still in a lot of pain, but my friend Aleve is helping me get through the day.  I do have one pretty funny picture of my super swollen cheeks, but I think we'll keep that one to ourselves.

from wireddesign on etsy

I got the ring I had been wanting for a while from my hubby, I love it!

found at uncommongoods.com

I got the Daily Fact Calendar that I shared in my last post!  It's pretty cool - it does take a lot of rubbing to get the fact to show up, but maybe i just have cold fingers?  from my mom-in-law

found on amazon

Got the Orla Kiely book from my mom-in-law, it's full of pretty pictures and how orla got started, so i'm excited to read it.

found here, but no longer in stock

I got the yellow Old Navy Peacoat I wanted from my grandma!

from zgallerie

 I got the Silver Nest Table Runner from Z Gallerie from my mom, love it!

I also got 6 (yes SIX) scarves between my bday and Christmas, so I think I'm all set on the scarf front.

I got boots from JCPenney that I wanted, but they ended up being too small and they didn't have them in stock anymore, so I got the money and got these Cathy Jean boots for $35 the day after Christmas:

from cathy jean

I also got this fabric design book, this toast-shaped egg mold thing, this sweater (it's not as long as it looks like on the girl, which is disappointing but it's still cute), this coffee maker (I ruined the surprise on this one and actually opened it a couple weeks early) and lots of other fun stuff!

what i want wednesday!

With the holidays fast approaching, my wish list has been getting pretty full lately.  I can always find a million things I want as long as I keep up with my wishlist and pinterest - as opposed to having no idea what I want and then getting presents that you'll just take back to the store anyway.

Really, if you don't have a wishlist, start one asap! It's so easy! I use amazon, but there are a ton of sites out there that let you make a wishlist - you just install a button on your browser toolbar, and whenever you see anything you like, you just click "add to wishlist" and it's done!  Here's my wishlist.

I know a lot of people just use pinterest, too, and just have a specific board for their wishlist.  Also super easy because there's a toolbar button that just says "pin it"!

So anyway, here are things that I've been loving lately!

This perpetual calendar from uncommongoods.com.  You use your finger to rub the black part on each date, and the heat makes a fact about that day visible, then it switches back to black after a minute.  And it's laminated so you can write with a dry erase marker on the dates, then erase them and start over the next year!  Fun, huh?

This cookie jar from anthropologie.  It's out of stock but I'm sure there are other pear-shaped cookie jar/ceramic things out there somewhere.

2012 Mountain Calendar by pamlostracco - love this.  i think i might have to buy it for myself.

This beautiful photo from CarolynCochrane on etsy

Pretzels, chocolate, caramel, and pecans - these are so good, yall.  My mother-in-law made them a couple years ago, and I loved them, and I've made them a couple times since then because they are so good.  Just put rolos (yes, the candy) on top of a pretzel, then put in the oven for 5-10 minutes, then just press the pecans down on top and they're soft from the oven so they just smoosh (smush?) down.  So easy.  Unrolling all the rolos is a little time consuming, get a little elf to help with that part.

what i want wednesday!

i know i have an unhealthy obsession with wood - trees, branches, woodgrain... but i can't help it! i like what i like people! so this edition of what i want wednesday is more woodsy things- mostly from etsy!

Levi Modern Vase by jalexstudios on etsy - love the contrasting wood but that it's still modern at the same time.

Birch Tree Embroidery Hoop by erinf115 on etsy - would be so cute in my living room

Woodgrain Chalkboard Cards from UrbanBirdandCo on etsy - and they come with chalk so you can write your own message! how fun!

Felt Woodgrain Handbag by Faux Bois - pricey but oh so pretty!

I know it's not nice to tease you with things that are no longer available, but this resin tree stump table used to be at West Elm. 

 I just have to share a story- about a year ago we needed to have a tree cut down because it was really close to our house and it was basically dead, but I had all these grand ideas - I'll make a stump table! I'll make little candle holders! I'll make clocks out of slices of wood! So I had my husband get the tree-cutters to leave all the wood there (this was a pretty giant tree too, btw) and I even had him cut pieces into 1.5" slices so I could make my clocks.... it turns out that when a tree is dead and has holes in it and the bark is all nasty... there's just no way to make usable pieces.  Well, I'm sure maybe there is, but I couldn't figure it out.  And now, I've got a million tree stumps all sitting out behind my house, isn't that nice? And just in case you're in need of some "tree slices", I happen to have found some at Dick Blick for my clock project... which I never completed. I do that a lot.  oops.

what i want wednesday - pinterest edition!

I've been adding things to my wishlist the past couple weeks in preparation for christmas(!!!) but as you can see it's mostly boring things like coffee pots and coats (although isn't that yellow old navy peacoat just so cute? I'll post a picture of it because it's blog-worthy)

Old Navy Yellow Peacoat, $60

So today I decided to do a roundup of things I want from pinterest, because if you're not on pinterest yet, you should be.  Follow me! (or just see all the awesome things I've found without having to sign up.)  There's just so much inspiration all in one place that links back to it's original source so it's easy to create a list of things you want for your living room, for example, and see them all together like a mood board, and be able to decide what looks good together and what doesn't, then when you're ready to buy things just click on them to be taken to the online store.  It's really a great tool but it's also so fun and inspirational.  Here's a list of pretty things I want that I found on pinterest.

Found on pinterest, via polyvore, originally from jane norman uk

Cute wraparound sweater that is no longer available on its website... does anyone know where to get one or one that looks like it? I really really love this sweater. 

 
Found on pinterest, via designsponge, from Generate by KARVT

I've been considering getting a Mac since starting my webs design class last week and hearing my teacher harp on about how if you're going to be in the design field you really need a Mac, and these woodgrain laptop skins are so awesome.

 pinterest, via polyvore

I want everything in this picture.  Such a cute outfit.  The good thing about finding outfits that have been put together on polyvore is that you can see how everything looks together then go to polyvore to find the links to each piece of the wardrobe.

Found on pinterest, via closet cooking

Another fun thing about pinterest is that you can find great recipes... I found this recipe for buffalo chicken grilled cheese sandwiches and just had to make them on monday.  and boy were they good! i omitted the blue cheese and carrots though, and just served some ranch on the side for dipping.  if you haven't seen the closet cooking website you're really missing out on great recipes. 

what i want wednesday!

my mom is already asking for my christmas list, so i've been looking around for some fun & inexpensive things i'm wanting.  here's a sampling of some gifts that I would love.

White Birch Tree Vase by Global Views from Barnes & Noble, $35

Bamboo Colada 32 Blush Pink Velvet Go GaGa Platform Pumps from LuLus, $31

Modern Stripe Bottle Vase by dahlhaus on etsy, $40 each, I'll take a navy blue and a gray please!

Yellow and white messenger bag by ikabags on etsy, $59

what i want wednesday!

just a random sampling of things i'm loving right now from etsy...

Chevron gray white yellow fabric bin from treasuredtotes08 on etsy

3D Farmhouse Embroidery Hoop Art from saysthetree on etsy

Plume Signature Napkins by PlumeTextiles on etsy

Staghorn Cable Knit Pillow Sham in Gray by PreciousKnits on etsy

Faux Bois Mug in Creamy White by jadeflower on etsy

Apparently I'm feeling a little gray today... I think I'm just wishing for fall and gloomier weather.  My co-worker and I were just talking about how we hope the hurricane brings us some rain this weekend because it would be fun to be stuck inside and not have to go anywhere or do anything.  Which I know is mean to the people about to be hit by the hurricane, so I'll retract my statement and just hope I get some rain!

busy busy bee

Whoo! It's been busy around here... I've been painting my basement (dark gray walls and yellow ceiling) and of course the yellow ceiling is taking For. ev. er.  Apparently there's something about a bright yellow pigment that makes you have to do 3+ coats to make it look really even.  And apparently painting is hazardous to my health because I've got a crick in my neck, a bum knee and a sore thigh.  I've been painting in lieu of working out this week, and my mom and I just started a new weightloss challenge, so I'm hoping painting is a calorie burner!

I've got a couple Priss Designs shop announcements:
1.  I've put my Gray Chevron with Yellow Bird print on sale through Dibsie for the next 5 days only, a site where you can find deals on a lot of your favorite brands, including j.crew, anthropologie, world market, bcbgeneration, and more!
Here's the link to my sale: http://dibsie.com/deal/2613

2. Also, I completely lost track of my 30 day art challenge, but here's Day 30ish - I just added an abstract pattern that I created that is based on a peacock feather.

Available in the shop!

I'll post some updated office remodel pics soon, I'm trying to get the painting done before I start really thinking about the next step, which will be building a desk.  I was really inspired by this desk made of reclaimed hardwood flooring that I saw on the hgtv blog:

Video on the HGTV blog

I was thinking I liked the angle of the desk, but after measuring and realizing I need a desk that is 11 feet wide and at least 26" deep, I'm thinking the angle won't really work for me... however, I really like the look of the hardwood floor top, and it may end up being cheaper than buying wood planks.

And don't worry, I'll be doing a lot of ana-white.com research to figure out a good plan of attack for the desk.  I love love love her and her site.  Oh and if anyone wants to buy me a present, I would like a kreg jig please!
OK I'll quit asking for handouts.  Have a good week!

what i want wednesday!

Today I've got a special edition of What I Want Wednesday, because I am planning an office makeover!  I could really use some advice, because I am planning on painting the walls of my office dark gray.  My dilemma is that my "office" is in the basement, and there is a wall of windows so I get some light, but it's generally pretty dark down there and I'm wondering if the dark walls are going to make everything gloomy and depressing.  My plan, however, is to counteract the darkness with YELLOW!  There is a tray ceiling and I plan to paint both the horizontal and vertical part of the tray ceiling a bright yellow, and also all the furniture will be white with pops of yellow everywhere.  What do you guys think?
Here is my inspiration board for the space:

Oh I forgot to mention my plan is to paint or draw silver trees on the wall directly behind the desk, I thought it would be a good idea to just draw the outlines in silver paint pen like this example, but with silver on a dark gray background:

via pinterest, from seecatecreate

So for my "what i wants" today, I'll be focusing on cute office accessories for my new office remodel!

Cute gray flower pattern paper/storage boxes from Container Store

Yellow striped and patterned notebooks from Target

Asterisk clock: DIY tutorial on curbly

Silver and yellow floor lamp from Target

what i want wednesday! plus weekend update

well, i had a pretty eventful weekend.  i went to meet my mom about 2 hours away to give her the chihuahua bookbag for my niece, who started school monday.  i was about 60 miles away when my low gas alert popped up and said i had about 50 miles of gas left, and i figured those things give you an allowance of at least 10 miles anyway, so i hit ignore and kept on my merry way, thinking i would go to a gas station when i got closer.  By the time I knew I was close to being empty, I realized that the exits on the highway were few and far between, and I was not seeing any with gas stations.  I pulled out my tomtom and it said the nearest gas station was 5.1 miles away.  Well, i made it only 3 more miles before i died.  it was over 100 degrees outside, so i sat there with the windows down in my black car with the black leather seats, sweating my butt off, for over an hour while i waited for my mom to come bring me gas.  fast forward a couple days and my car wasn't starting right, so we had to take it in to the mechanic.  apparently running out of gas is bad for your car.  when the fuel injectors are injecting air into your engine, it's not good.  luckily, in my case, my battery had just run super low from me sitting there with the flashers on and trying to restart it a couple times to roll the windows down, but the lesson to be learned here is don't run out of gas if your car has fuel injection! (and most cars from the 90s forward do).  In high school, i had a 1964 nova, and the gas gauge did not work, when my car started sputtering a little bit, i would know i had to get to the gas station quick-like, and all i had to do was swerve back and forth to get the remaining gas to slosh around in the tank... haha can't you just imagine me swerving down the road like a crazy person?!

anyway, car is fixed, i learned my lesson (hopefully), and now we can get back to more important things!  like things i want! haha

#1 thing I want right now is FALL! get me out of this heat and into Halloween weather! My fave time of year!

Raindrop and umbrella wooden magnets from snugstudio on etsy.  so cute!

Did you guys see this really cool/easy tree wall on Design Star a couple weeks ago? I really want to attempt it.

Really cute wire "LOVE" letters.  From newivystyle on etsy.

This is a really cool chevron wooden pendant, but I think it would also be really cool as a large wooden wall art piece, maybe with wire or something.  Definitely a cool DIY idea.  This is by IbbyandRufus on etsy.

What I Want Wednesday!

OK so Wednesday's almost over, but that doesn't mean I will want these things any less tomorrow!

"I Love You Like Dobby Loves Socks"... ahhh, Harry Potter humor.  I'm a dork. from MarsupialMenagerie on etsy

Marimekko Outdoor Umbrella from Crate & Barrel via Pinterest

If I could get married again (to the same person, of course!) this would be my dream invitation. Made of real wood! via Oh So Beautiful Paper (my new favorite blog, everything is so pretty!)

Cute bubble mugs from ArtOnPorcelain on etsy

Woodgrain Flask from Liquid Courage on etsy.  So many cute flasks.  I don't drink liquor but I should get one just to put on a shelf. 

Hope you guys are having a great week!

what i want wednesday!

today i'm going to showcase some of my favorite things that i've found through pinterest (follow me here: http://pinterest.com/noellepriss/) - these are from my "luxurious modern bedroom" board, which i envision to be charcoal gray and yellow, and full of texture!  my wall color is a blue-gray, i can't remember the exact color right now but i'll have to remember to post a picture soon.

Bella Bedding from Z Gallerie

Yellow Woodgrain Rug from rugsusa.com

Lantern from zgallerie (apparently it's not for sale on the website anymore, but that doesn't make me want it any less!)

Yellow Ruffle Pillow from whitenest on etsy

Side table from West Elm

Felted Loop Pillow, free pattern available on lionbrand.com

Check out the entire pinterest board to see the other exciting things I want for my bedroom!