Wish List Wednesday: Shower Curtains

For this week's wish list, I'm still on the lookout for apartment items, specifically a new shower curtain. Before I left for London, I let my little sister take the blue and green paisley shower curtain I had in my last apartment. I had meant it to be a temporary fix for the fact that couldn't find one she liked, but it appears that it's taken permanent residence in her bathroom and I'll be searching for another. Obviously I hate shopping and this is a real hardship for me. I'm really not a fan of the retro brown and white tile in the bathroom in my new place, so I want something bright and fun to distract from it. I also don't want to spend a ton of money because I tend to get tired of things (which is fine, since by then my sister has decided to 'borrow' whatever it is anyway). Here are a few of the options I've found poking around online:

Pottery Barn's Pom Pom Trimmed Shower Curtain is one of the first ones I found in my search. I love the fun of the pom poms, but I think the plain white may be a little too dull for what I'm looking for.

Danica Studio's Prim and Proper Shower Curtain is a lot of fun. The bows are so girly and whimsical. But again, I think I need more color- maybe I could monogram it in hot pink?

I absolutely love this Stepped Chevron Shower Curtain from Jonathan Adler, but at $122 I'm really not sure I want to spend that much.

West Elm's Stripe Shower Curtain looks like a good option. The stripes are fun and preppy, but classic and I can totally see it with a big pink monogram to add an accent color.

Trina Turk's Coastline Ikat Shower Curtain is soooo pretty. I love that it's got multiple bright colors to pull from for towels and accessories. Plus, it's more reasonably priced at $59.99 and available at Macy's, so I can use my mom's coupons! This may be the winner.

Where do you shop for fun, affordable home accents? I love having pretty things, but I just can't justify some of the prices out there on my student budget!

Wish List Wednesday: Budget Friendly Furnishings

On Monday, I got to pick up the keys to my new apartment. After spending the semester in London living with four other people in a small flat and then spending May and June at my parents sharing a bathroom with my little brother while I looked for a place to live, I am more than ready to be back in my own space. I love my family and my friends, but sometimes it's nice to just lay on the living room sofa with a novel on a Saturday and read the whole thing with no interruptions. Pure bliss. I'm also excited to have more space than I have previously. I've always had a one bedroom (or two and used one as an office) but now I'm going to have an entire duplex! It'll be nice to have space to spread out. I'm going to paint the whole place before I move in (the last tenant was an art student who made crazy color choices) so I'm not making the shift there just yet. But while I'm gearing up for the move, I've been looking for new furniture, bedding, and decorations to make the space my own. I was surprised by how many cute, affordable options there are available right now- just perfect for my student budget. Here's a spotlight on two of my favorite lines I found: Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler for JCPenny and the Threshold collection at Target.

Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler Crescent Heights Collection: I love the navy patterned rug that anchors this gorgeously done living room.

Jonathan Adler Happy Chic Bleecker Dining Room Table, Bleecker Side Chairs, Chevron Wool Rectangular Rug. Fun end chairs and a bright rug punch up a traditional dining room table.

Jonathan Adler Happy Chic Elizabeth Comforter Set and Accessories. I'll have one of everything from the Elizabeth collection. What could be more relaxing than these pretty shades of blue?

Threshold Slipper Chair in Navy Floral. Target has definitely stepped up it's home collection in recent years. I feel like this patterned slipper chair could just as easily be from Pottery Barn -- but this version is as cute and budget friendly!

Threshold X-Stool: Available in six patterns to match and color scheme, these stools will be perfect under my library table against a wall most of the time, but then be easily brought out to provide extra seating for guests. (And they're on sale!)

Threshold Windham 2 Door Cabinet with Center Shelves: For my new apartment, I know I'll need a new piece on which to put my television. I love the fun colors this cabinet comes in and that there's both open and closed storage options - the center shelves are perfect for my DVR and router, and the closed shelves will be great for storing DVDs etc.

Threshold Kilim Square Pouf: It seems like poufs are everywhere this season, but with prices ranging up to hundreds of dollars, many just aren't a student budget option. I think this one (also available in other patterns) are much closer to a price that a student like me can justify spending.

Any of these items coming to your apartment? Where else do you love for budget friendly home shopping?

Party like it's 1776: Weekend in Boston

This weekend I went to visit a friend of mine in Boston. It's been a rough couple of weeks and I was grateful when she called to offer me a chance to get out of town for the long weekend and celebrate the Fourth with her. I flew out Friday morning super early (5:00 exists in the a.m. too???) so I had almost a full day when I landed.

Knowing me as she does, our first stop was coffee and lots of it. We got an early lunch and then she took me to see her apartment. She lives in this awesome converted mill outside Boston- exposed brickwork and beams, tons of windows. It's gorgeous. After that, we spent the afternoon/evening at their friends' cookout. Unfortunately, it rained so we couldn't swim and the fireworks were cancelled, but we still made the most of it inside.

On Saturday, we went to Boston Common and walked around. We followed the Freedom Trail through the historic district and up to the North End for lunch, where the smell of garlic pervaded the streets. We ate an absurd amount of delicious pasta at a tiny corner restaurant until I could barely move. Nonetheless, I found it within me to eat cannolis from Mike's Pastry, which were so good and definitely worth having to cross the Mason-Dixon to taste. There wasn't room to eat there with the crowd, so we took them to the Harbor (that's hah-bah) and ate on a bench overlooking the boats. It was an absolutely perfect afternoon.

No, I didn't eat all four myself!

I love you Mike, whoever you are!

It's pronounced 'hah-bah.'

So delicious.

After my sugar crash subsided, we made our way to catch the T to Fenway Park. We were still a little early for baseball, so we went to a place called the Cask and Flagon to get a quick drink and watch the end of the World Cup game between the Netherlands and Costa Rica. I was glad we stopped since the game went to penalty kicks and an exciting finish. After cheering the Netherlands to victory, we walked on to Fenway. Even though the Red Sox lost to the Orioles, it was still a super fun experience and I'm so glad we got tickets so I could visit the 'Green Monstah.'

Those are our new friends photobombing us. They were so amused by the fact that I call my friend's boyfriend 'Yankee.'

Yesterday, I had to be back at the airport around 3, so we shopped around a little bit and got a late lunch at Legal Seafoods. My crab cake was delicious and the perfect last New England meal! All in all, my first foray to Boston was great. It was so nice to see my friend, be shown around her city, see new sights, and eat new things. Even if people kept looking at me funny when I said ya'll!

What fun things did you do this past holiday weekend?

Fourth of July Weekend Sales!

In case you needed something else to celebrate this weekend besides, you know,  America, here's a list of awesome sales to shop:

• Ann Taylor has a variety of sales going on, but all are for a 'limited time only' (no specific date, so shop early!)
• Anthropologie has their sale on sale - an extra 20% off with code BUZZ20 (shop my picks here)
• Banana Republic is offering 40% off in-stores and online with code BRJULY
• Bloomingdale's is offering 20-65% off in-stores and online
• C.Wonder's Semiannual sale includes items up to 70% off
• Gap's summer sale includes deals on plenty of basics
• J.Crew is offering 30% off with code JULY
• Kate Spade has their sale on sale - an extra 25% with code MORESALE
• Ann Taylor LOFT - $25 dresses, $6 tops, $15 sandals
• Old Navy- plenty of tanks and tees for under $10
• Zappos has a number of items included in their Fourth of July sale

Which sales will you be hitting this holiday weekend?

Wish List Wednesday: Anthro's Sale!

Starting today, Anthropologie's already marked down items are an additional 20% off (use code BUZZ20 at checkout!). I'm always a sucker for Anthro's clothes, particularly when they're on sale. But take an additional 20% off and my cart fills up fast! I'm loving all the breezy tanks, the omnipresent peplums and fun floral prints. A lot of things are selling quickly, so there are limited sizes available in many of the items - but if you're lucky enough to score your size, it's a great deal! Here's a few of the things in my basket:

Pure and Good Shadow Floral Ruched Leggings - I'm training for a half marathon right now and I think the extra effort deserves some extra cute gear. If I'm stepping up my workout game, I should step up my workout wardrobe, right?

Deluna Cardigan- An out-of-the-ordinary cardigan for looking special without special effort.

Shimmered Garden Dress. I love the summery oranges and blues as well as the subtle jewels around the neckline and on the bodice.

Gemme Dress- Because diamonds are a girls best friend, why not wear a dress printed with them? So much fun.

Clovelly Peplum Top - Scallops are my favorite and the back cutout on this pretty blouse provides an unexpected touch when you exit a room.

Portia Maxi Dress- I've been on the lookout for a printed maxi and this fits the bill with it's pretty tulip print and subtle orange sequin detailing.

Dotted Silk Tank- I think this top would be perfect for any Fourth of July plans this weekend! It's fun without being fussy and will pair perfectly with white jeans for a patriotic look.


Are you as addicted to Anthropologie's sale as I am? Any of these items showing up in your basket?