POUF!

I had a few friends over on Saturday evening, and while my sofa comfortably seats plenty, some of us wound up sitting on the floor, encircling the large coffee table covered in food (who wouldn't choose the floor in this case?).

I don't mind sitting on the floor at all, in fact I rather enjoy it (remember, this is coming from the girl who spent five months living in a mud house in Himalayan India...); but some people might not feel the same.

I was recalling this weekend with a friend when I realized what I really need are some comfy floor pillows (especially because we have hardwoods), or some cozy-cool poufs. They would have to be relatively compact, maybe even stackable, so I could put them out of the way when they weren't needed. So... I went searching and came up with this fun collection:


What has your experience been with convenient floor seating? What about storing them?

*swoon*
Paige

Clockwise from upper left-hand corner:
Rattan pouf (via Urban Outfitters)
Flocks Urchin poufs
AtelierAfra pouf
Zaishu (I've always loved the concept of Zaishu. I've tracked them for years and the art is ever-evolving, but the design has stayed clean, simple, and easily-constructed. Truly awesome.)
Dosa pouf (this link takes you to a photograph of a woman with the exact coffee table/pouf set-up I'm looking to recreate!)
John Derian Moroccan pouf (They even have metallic versions! Although I have heard horror stories of truly authentic Moroccan poufs reeking of wet cow... Maybe you should try the faux "Made in USA" version.)

Thrifted Thursdays - Mid-Century Modern Chair

After writing my post on thrifting, I've decided to have a regular feature, Thrifted Thursdays, where I show off a different item I have found during my trips to Goodwill and Value Village (Pacific Northwest thrift store chain), and even things from Craig's List.

Today's item is this mid-century modern chair I bought last fall. It had been upholstered in a strange, fuzzy (sort of like weird synthetic mohair), floral fabric in reds and oranges that didn't quite go with my living room's aesthetic...

But I saw its potential in its beautiful wood lines and bought it anyway for only $25!

I recovered it with fabric I already owned (probably completely incorrectly) for a cleaner look. It's wide and low-slung, making it a great reading chair in this sunny corner of my living room. (And yes, I realize I need to hem my drapes... and the holiday lights have since been taken down from the window.)



What do you think? What are some of your favorite thrifted items?

*swoon*
Paige

Fieldtrip!

Head on over to one of my most favorite blogs, coco+kelley, and check out my guest blogger post from late yesterday afternoon!

My mission: to recreate a designer deskscape look with cheap, yet chic, items...

Thank you, Cassandra, for giving me the opportunity to contribute to your fabulous blog!


*swoon*
Paige

P.S. I hope you enjoy it! I'm a little nervous... the butterflies are going nuts in my stomach.

Are you a Thrifter?

I know I'm constantly posting outfits made nearly entirely out of designer items - Louboutin flats, Miu Miu dresses, etc, etc.

However... I would like to clarify that, even though I talk about these items nonstop, and continue to list them (and continue to daydream for day on end about them), I don't actually get to dress like this on a day-to-day basis (shocking, I know).

To be honest, I am probably the biggest thrifter I know. I love the challenge of finding "the good stuff" amongst all the piles of junk. It takes a good eye and more patience than most people could ever muster. But somehow I am always complimented on my clothing and accessories. I'm always happy to share that I found a particular item second-hand for two dollars. In fact, the weekend before last was the first time I had stepped into a "real" store in months, and really, it was only because I had a coupon for 30% off, and 5% of my purchase would be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Some people may be disgusted that I would even consider shopping at thrift stores; but doing so has provided me with a more unique wardrobe (where "unique" is a good thing, not the "awkward, weird, and kitschy" definition). I always make sure things fit properly, and I only ever buy shoes if their soles appear to have never touched the earth's surface (and therefore have never actually been worn).

My apartment is also furnished and accessorized in the same fashion. Proof that this method actually works? When my friend made the comment the other night, "Wow, everything you own is such a wonderful artifact!" I definitely took it as a compliment.

Don't think, however, that this means I'm going to stop posting gorgeous gazillion-dollar totes, or sky-high Manolos! I just wanted to let you all know I'm a normal girl (with a normal budget) who likes to daydream the day away (like all normal girls!). It wouldn't be as fun if I could actually afford everything (well, maybe...).

Stay tuned later today for some completely unaffordable, swoonworthy things!

*swoon*
Paige