DIY Monday

And we're back for DIY Monday... I've got a lot of DIY posting to do today too (mostly because I am refusing to apply to jobs).

Quick aside. On the job front I've changed my strategy, because let's face it, I'm 25, I have a masters degree and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up (don't tell my parents), so I've of late been applying to places I may not be trained to work in, but that I think I would be great at and would love doing. Now not all of these places are in Atlanta, which might make my dad have a heart attack if I actually get hired by any of them. They range in places from Columbus, OH, Chicago, and Boston. Oh, and Martha Stewart Weddings in NYC. HAHAHA. I think it just makes me happy to apply to these places and right now that is my main concern. My happiness. Anyway I applied to a Marketing/ Retail strategy place called Big Red Rooster and of course they want to talk to me, because as my mom pointed out you're going to sound really funny when people ask you where you work and you say Big Red Rooster. You know what mom? I think it would be AWESOME. So.... back to DIY.

1) Halloween Costumes

With Halloween fast approaching (only one more month, people) I decided to buy a ticket and join my friend Mandy's Alice in Wonderland brigade in Columbus as the White Rabbit. Plus, I felt bad, because she made me a costume without me even committing to coming. Anyway at first I thought OH DEAR when I saw the costume, but now I'm pretty stoked. I get to wear a wedding dress and let's face it I'm always going to be the bride's maid so I might as well relish in this delight. Plus, Mandy is letting my make my ears, so DIY project coming up. I'm thinking birdcage veil with the bows etc. on it. I'll post pics when I'm done.

My White Rabbit Gown

2) Penny Tile take a whole new meaning...

Yesterday I was wasting time on Craft Gossip when I came across this Apartment Therapy (awesome blog, check it out) post where a hotel in D.C. tiled their bathroom in pennies. Kinda ironic in the nation's capital, where they made money. I think it's pretty, but my OCD is also grossed out, as money is pretty dirty (not that I would lie down and roll around on it. Okay, maybe if I was drunk). Also, I wonder if it is legal to use money as a flooring material? Isn't there some law about defacing money? Anyway start saving those pennies so you too can tile your floor, as I think this might be the ultimate DIY, because you're literally saving your money.

Penny Tiles for those of you who are not interior design geniuses

And "penny" tiles for those of us who take things a little too literally

3) A last bite of summer recipe

This weekend I went to Athens, GA to visit the lovely TWIMOer, Erin and we had a great culinary tour of the city. We had dinner at this great little place called Farm 255 which has all local and organic foods. I had shrimp and grits which was delicious, but we also had a fresh peach crostini with cracked black pepper that you could totally make at home and enjoy those last bits of juicy summer, so here's what to do:

Toast or Broil some lovely bread. I like a rustic French.
Spread some ricotta cheese on it.
Top with sliced peaches and sprinkle with some cracked black pepper.
** Now being a chronic sweet tooth I drizzled the final product with honey and I have to say it was magnifique!

So go out start planning your Halloween mischief, tile your floor with pennies, and eat some fruit. As always, the world is your oyster.

Interiors: Places I spend time in when I'm not being bored

I know, I know, I've been a bad leader of the TWIMO clan as I have been missing for almost a week. I appologize and assure you I was just following the TWIMO motto of the world being my oyster and looking for the pearl. So what has Sarah been up to you ask? Well, first as you knew I sent momma TWIMO (whom I showed my blog to and pronounces TWIMO as TWE (as in twe-ed)MO which I think is hilarious) home. The next big event in my week was to get my first big city haircut since momma TWIMO said my hair looked bad and she would pay for it. So I booked a cut at a salon my Atlanta/Wash U friend Sara recommended called Grow. Now Sara is pretty hip (as in she does roller derby!) so I knew this would be an okay place.

I walked into the salon to see a large raw space with gray walls and cool mid century touches and large mirrors leaning against the wall (note to hair salon designers: I do not like these mirrors as I am unattractive to look at sitting down (as I assume everyone is). I generally sit in these chairs and pray that the stylist will quickly drape my rolling body in the large black cape, because quite frankly I look better as a head peeking out of a triangle of black fabric). Now for the second first, I had my first haircut with a male stylist. Not that this is monumental or anything, but he was straight and married! I wonder what it is like to be in a world where most male stylists are gay or presumed to be. Probably like being a straight man in interior design. Anyway Eric, the straight stylist, cut my hair fabulously and even showed me how to blow dry and use product, because to most people's disbelief (as I am very put together in my appearance and quite knowledgeable about clothing and makeup, I know very little about hair. In fact in 5th grade (a questionable time in our hygienic lives) I didn't wash my hair for 4 days, because I didn't want to deal with it. I have since gotten over my anti hair washing stage, but still don't really like styling).



For the next big event of the week the lovely Erin of Athens can to the ATL so that we could go on a hotel tour that one of the hospitality design groups was hosting (we're so chic and involved). The hotel was the Loews Hotel and let's just say I at least was not that impressed. Everything was beige. Like blah beige. Now I know neutrals have their place, but come on people let's spice it up! I would def. have snoozed in that room (which I guess isn't horrible, as hotel rooms are meant for sleeping). Another dislike of the design was the copious amounts of velvet-like material used on their soft goods (sofas, chairs, for you non-design people). Velvet is a no no in hospitality. It doesn't wear well and it picks up everything (the cleaning staff is going to need giant lint rollers), plus Erin who has a deep seeded hatred of the feel of velvet (think nails on a chalk board to others) would have to just stand in the middle of the room as she couldn't touch anything. Just sayin'.

After the tour Erin and I had a lovely dinner at an Atlanta based chain called Figo Pasta which was del-ish. Imagine butternut squash ravioli in an amaretto cream sauce... The next day E and I went bridesmaid dress shopping for her upcoming nuptials and I think we found some gems, but I'm not sharing more than that as E hates when I ruin the end of a movie or book by revealing too many details. My lips are zipped.

Now that all the excitement in my life is dying down I think I will drink a glass of wine, lay on my floor and roll around (for those of you not familiar with this activity it is my most favorite to partake in when I'm had too many libations.) Remember to seize the day and always eat dessert first or only eat dessert. Whatever. You're an adult.