In my lofted one-bedroom apartment, space is at a premium. But I work from home, on the awesome DailyHap.com, so a home office is non-negotiable. Enter the couch + table + chairs combo that I LOVE. It has lots of light and lots of space for me to spread out my work.

It’s a great space for creating, writing, thinking, and even doing the un-fun stuff like billing.

I couldn’t have come up with the idea to share the table with the couch without Pinterest. Yay!

I’m not going to lie, the process wasn’t easy. But this was more the fault of my shared washing machine (didn’t want to dye it orange), a non-working sink stopper (dye went down the drain, twice!), and me than the actual dyeing process.

I do really like the marbling effect that was a result of sink-dyeing as opposed to the all-over color the washing machine would have given it.

All in all, dyeing is pretty easy and pretty cheap! RIT dye is available everywhere and at just $2.99/box, you really can’t go wrong updating your sheets with a lil color.

In my super-awesome new, big closet, I have plenty of space to create a necklace chain (thanks, Pinterest, for the inspiration, this is the combination of about five different ideas). I braided together (not too tightly) three pieces of leather cord and tied them around the ends of the closet rod.

Then, I inserted cheap s-hooks from the hardware store into the splits of the braid.

Super-easy and super awesome!

You can see the earring picture frame behind this … but that’s a DIY everyone knows how to do, right?

• The chance to go home for Christmas! Booked a last-minute flight Monday evening, currently en route to Austin … cannot wait for family time and to refresh & recharge
• Supportive parents who give me room to explore, space to make mistakes, and guidance to get me back on my feet
• Lights for my Christmas tree:
  
• A random Tuesday night out with friends
• Aspen Academy Film Screenings … just saw Young Adult and it’s interesting … I recommend.
• Shooting a live fashion show. Fake it til you make it.
• Avocado oil … elevating average salads to greatness
• Nali’s extended family taking care of her + doggie summer/winter camp at the Aspen Boarding Kennel

See last week’s Feel Goods here.

It may not look like much, but check out how awesome it is when full of my baubles:

The basket? Perfect for bracelets.

check out the JewelMint Tulum bracelet—the braided rope on the left—I’ve been wanting one for YEARS!

Overall? My jewels are finally manageable!

Tailgating in the Texas heat is serious business

Thank goodness for tailgating! You wouldn’t really know it’s fall in Austin without hordes of burnt-orange-clad revelers crowding the streets of campus. Three of my top picks (two are recurring, one is this weekend only):

La Condesa’s awesome tailgate

17th & Congress from 12 pm – 6 pm for all home games

FREE Grilled Mexican Street Corn and FREE Lone Star beer. Put it on your list, and make sure you stop by.

Blackout Breakfast Club at J. Black’s (plus bus!)

J. Black’s at 710-B W. 6^th Street / Doors Open at 10am all home games + Texas-OU

Why blackout? The bar blacks out the windows facing West 6^th–to better see the TV, duh! Bloody marys, buckets of beer, and more are included on the game day menu, along with food like Kobe Beef Nachos, Pulled Pork Frito Pie, brunch-y faves like Breakfast Pizza, Shrimp and Grits, and the Open Face Egg Sandwich.

Maybe the best part? Complimentary shuttle bus that drives right into the heart of the tailgating area. The J. BLACK’S shuttle is outfitted with a symbolic black longhorn on the hood, a plush interior, a rocking sound system and music to keep the party going, all courtesy of Blackhorn Buses. “Park and Ride” never felt so great on a Saturday morning!

We aren’t hurting for tailgate options in Austin.

AYC & YMBL Tailgate 2010 (this weekend only)

Saturday, September 25th @ 11:30am / SW Corner of 17th & Congress Ave.- Look for the big white school bus!

Flat screen to watch football, music, tons of bbq and plenty of drinks. Tix $15 — buy online ahead of time, cash only at the door.

Tailgate sponsors: Brown Distributing, Dripping Springs Vodka, Graham’s Texas Tea, Paula’s Texas Orange, Republic Tequila, and Treaty Oak Rum.

I wish United Inspections, www.UnitedInspectionsTexas.com, had been around when my brother and I bought our house! Started by a very close friend of mine, the company is beyond thorough and highly professional. The inspector did our house as a practice run and was able to explain one of the house’s greatest mysteries: why does it feel like the master toilet is heated?

A: because the person who initially did the plumbing switched the hot and cold lines to the toilet, meaning it constantly pumps hot water! The more you flush it (during a party, for instance), the hotter the seat and w.c. gets.

A good home inspector is one of those services the average person doesn’t use all that often, but it’s crucial that you have a good one so you don’t end up buying a house with problems. So if you are in the market for a home or are ready for an inspection, let me suggest United Inspections.

PLUS, there is a summer months 35% discount!!

www.UnitedInspectionsTexas.com … see if you can spot my house in the pics!

Planning
- Learn how to use tools that were once only available to the pros
Paint
- Learn the quick and easy ways to use color
Placements
- Learn the where, what, and why of effectively placing furniture
Pearls
- Learn about using accessories to make your space sparkle

ENJOY:

* Refreshments
* Goodie bags for participants
* Drawing for FREE design consultation ($250 value)

Collectic Home, 2785 Bee Cave Rd, Rollingwood, 512.347.1616

I don’t think I’ve missed a Tidbits party yet. The people are always fabulous, the gift bags chock-full of goodies you actually want, and the snacks and drinks divine. Why wouldn’t you go?

This round is out in Westlake atSanctuary, 3663 Bee Caves Road (behind Breed & Co.), www.sanctuaryhomebathgarden.com. There will be sushi from Kenobi, vodka drinks by Dripping Springs Vodka, wine from Spicewood Vineyards, and cookies from Tiff’s Treats. Enjoy music, swag bags for the first 50 people, and discounted shopping (30% off ALL items in the store!). Don’t miss it!

Swag Bags include items from:
Fat Cat Creations, Tiff’s Treats, Anne Kiel Jewelry, {LD} Design, Krista Marie Designs, Mary Louise Butters Brownies, Tasty Jewelry, Sweet Tooth Bags, Leah Duncan Design

I’ve got an article in this issue–Picture This–so it’s definitely worth checking out!