The KEY to Transforming Your Space

Have you recently moved? Or looking to vamp up your space? Shelving is the perfect place to start! Whether you're staging them or simply organizing five years of built-up clutter, shelves can completely transform a room from bland to glam!

HERE ARE SOME KEY TIPS AND INSPIRATION:

1) ADD A SPLASH OF COLOR

If you're a minimalist and prefer white over basically all color (me like two years ago), I strongly urge you to dip your toes into the color pool and add a few popping tones to your shelving. This warms the space and makes for an atmosphere that matches your bright personality! 

2) GROUPING- GET CREATIVE

Shelves do not have to be covered from end to end. Try stacking books both horizontally and vertically to diversify the visual display. As you can see in the picture below, the books are grouped by color as well. I am in LOVE with this look, especially against the paper-white walls and shelves. 

3) PLANTS

 Give some life to your shelves (Literally!) by ramping up the greenery! Plants clear the air and are especially useful in smaller apartments (which have the habit of getting stuffy). If you have a lot of geometrical knickknacks (books, boxes, etc), plants can help to break up your space.

The Polaroid: Retro Snapshots

( ^^^ a picture featuring my camera and --a small part of-- my photo wall)

SO much of our lives are recorded and stored in our phones and computers. What happened to the good old days when pictures were developed and taped into journals and scrapbooks? Being an avid photographer, I love capturing moments and taping them to the display on my bedroom wall. My new LOMO' INSTANT camera has made the process so much easier! I know that I'll be able to treasure these snapshots for the rest of my life! In fact, my best friend Bridget and I used my Polaroid to capture the first moments of 2016 at midnight on New Years Eve! When I visited my home in Ohio, I took a TON of photos and I tacked them above my bed to keep my family and friends extra close! There's something unique about holding a memory in your grasp!

Taken by: Bridget Downey on LOMO' INSTANT

Displaying Your Memories

Here are some pics that inspired my personal wall display. Take a look to discover how you can show off your own snapshots!

Our Era of Flashbacks

Fashion is one of the most prominent aspects of every era! But when I think about the trends of 2016, my conclusion is- WE LIVE IN AN ERA OF FLASHBACKS. Sales have boomed for bell-bottoms, boyfriend jeans, and retro sneakers. Until about two years ago, it was taboo to own a "vintage" bomber jacket or a pair of star-patterned go-gos. The uniform for any girl was simply a pair of Uggs and some skinny jeans. But if you browse the new collections of ANY major brand, you will undoubtedly spot the jeans your great aunt wore to Woodstock! My opinion- LOVE.

HERE ARE THE LATEST TRENDS

BELL-BOTTOMS 

   
This 70s throwback is flattering on ALL body types. The fitting waist and flared bottoms accentuate your beautiful curves! The best part is... your parents won't yell at you for wearing scandalous jeans as you walk out the door every morning. And you can sport this retro look with almost any kind of shoe. My mom recently bought me a pair from Anthropologie and I wear them with wedges. The key is to balance out the flared cough with a slimming top. Want a pair of your own? My top picks are Stoned Immaculate and ModCloth!!



BOYFRIEND JEANS

   

You may know them as mom jeans or painter jeans, but these boyfriend jeans are booming in the fashion industry! Perfect for school, travel, crafting, and dating, these denims are a perfect way of showing that inner tomboy that's waiting to come out! They come in a variety of styles for ALL body types! Wear them with a loose tee, crop-top, over sized sweater, and shoes of your choice! 2016 is all about being different and rocking your closet. My fav denim location is Madewell's "Denim Bar"! But for a cost-efficient day of adventure, head to your local thrift store!


RETRO SNEAKERS



   
Ok...the brands are endless when it comes to this type of footwear- Converse, New Balance, Adidas, Nike, Puma, etc. Sneakers are not just for sports anymore! Wear them with sundresses, skirts, denim, and your prom dress! Sneakers give a pop of color to a dark or monotone ensemble. On the contrary (as seen in the third pic on the bottom), they can provide a more understated shoe for a bold outfit. I'm calling these shoes a "flashback" because brands are now selling sneakers in gorgeous, acidic colors and styles inspired by couture from the 60's and 70's.

The Wondrous Himalayan Salt Lamp

Last week, I ventured to a tiny flea market in lower Manhattan and purchased a tear-shaped Himalayan salt lamp. When my parents saw the joy it brought me, they purchased one for themselves! I'm telling you these lamps work WONDERS. My sister and I share the basement of our New York townhouse and our room can get pretty stuffy. Within DAYS, our air seemed more pure and I was even able to sleep better! Little did I know of the lamp's amazing benefits!

REASONS WHY YOU NEED ONE:

1) HELPS REMOVE ODORS, DUST, AND POLLEN- The lamp absorbs moisture from the air. Heat radiates from the light bulb, allowing the water to evaporate while keeping the stray particles and dust trapped in the salt. (an air filter)

2)REDUCES ALLERGIES AND SINUSES- Because the lamp absorbs pollen, mold odors, and dust, it purifies the air and stimulates a more efficient respiration process in your body. Place one or two lamps in your bedroom, and you will notice a difference in your health. The lamp absorbs positive ions, which are unhealthy to breathe in significant amounts, and releases the filtered negative ions.

3) BOOSTS ENERGY - Positive ions are draining because they seek more electrons, but negative ions are proven to raise energy. The lamp absorbs positive ions and releases negative ions.

4) SLEEP BETTER- Positive ions are known to lighten sleep. Sleep with the negatively charged ions in the air.

BUY YOUR LAMP AT THE FOLLOWING PLACES:

URBAN OUTFITTERS, TARGET, BED BATH AND BEYOND, AMAZON

Life Soundtrack

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent” 
― Victor Hugo

Sometimes you just don't know what to say. Our minds can get so cluttered by everything going on- schoolwork, jobs, fitness, social life......and the infinite list continues!! So I invite you to make what I call a "Life Soundtrack", or music that you can count on when you just don't know what to say. Let these songs accompany you (whether you're riding your bike or a jam-packed train!) Just tune out of the craziness and tune into some sweet albums!

Some recommendations from my own Life Soundtrack-

DEVOTCHKA
SUFJAN STEVENS-ILLINOIS
CAROLE KING- TAPESTRY
COLDPLAY- PARACHUTES 
FLEET FOXES- HELPLESSNESS BLUES
FLEET FOXES- SUN GIANT 

Green Thumb

Sometimes life can get a bit suffocating and you need something to concentrate on, something to shift all of that scattered energy toward. A little green friend can do the trick! DISCLAIMER- you do NOT need to have a green thumb to grow plants. If this is a first for you, start off with a succulent or a cactus. These do not require much water and (in my opinion) are the cutest of all species. You can find these at wholesale gardening stores, but I recommend the site below for a large selection of quality plants.
MOUNTAIN CREST GARDENS