30 Before 30
In honor of my upcoming 30th birthday, I’ve researched countless “things to do before 30” lists. And while there are plenty to choose from, I kept coming back to “Thirty Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She’s 30.”
The List was originally published in Glamour by columnist Pamela Redmond Satran in 1997. Over the next 30 weeks, I’ll be tackling each item on The List and reflecting about it here… publicly (gulp). I hope you enjoy and we can grow together. After all, turning older is a privilege denied to many.
By 30, you should have…
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
I’m almost more reluctant to open up about my home decor history than I was about relationships #isthatweird?
In all seriousness, I’m far from a serial stylist. I’m more of the look at an item for months and months, hem and haw, and then finally decide I maybe want it enough to invest the $25–500 it requires to purchase. Really.
It’s taken me two years in my current place to buy wall art, and then struggle-bus my way through hanging it just right. There’s no limit to how indecisive I can be when it comes to decorating.
So it should come as no surprise: I haven’t quite checked this to-do off my 30 Before 30 List yet. I do have some decent furniture — yes, it’s from IKEA — but it’s in good condition and I’m proud of what I’ve done with it. Take my sofa table, for instance, which was about $250 in IKEA cubes and baskets, and serves as a perfectly planned bookcase.
I even had my eye on a $300 West Elm rug, but couldn’t commit, and then missed out on Cyber Monday like a n00b and it’s since vanished from the site. Le sigh.
Maybe it’s because my childhood home wasn’t focused on design, but rather the people in it. Or maybe I’m too OCD about everything working together that I can’t commit. Either way, my goal before I turn 30 next year is to check off this List item and not have buyer’s remorse. Double whammy!
If you have a living room I can hack together, like this one from Target — or if you have tips for indecisive interior decorators like myself — please do let me know in the comments!
A girl can dream, can’t she?
WO: Weekly Obsessions
What a roller coaster of a week it’s been. Just when you think things are good and settled, life has a funny way of knocking you down from your ivory tower. (Cue “Low Places” by Garth Brooks.) In any event, here we are, and here’s what’s on my mind:
- Remembering GAM: My dad’s Aunt Merlyn lived a full life into her late eighties, but passed peacefully over the weekend. She was the last strong connection we had to his family, and known throughout the family tree as our go-to genealogist. I’m comforted knowing my dad and her siblings were there to welcome her with open arms, and that she’ll be remembered for many years to come.
- A Working Radiator: It only took about five months of complaining to my HOA for them to realize I wasn’t just an idiot who couldn’t figure out the radiator. And, after four unsuccessfully scheduled appointments with the plumbers, the fifth time was the charm! It’s been about 36 hours with a noiseless radiator, and I don’t believe I’ve ever heard such beautiful silence.
- Target Decor FTW: In the spooky spirit of the upcoming bewitching hour, I found myself on Target’s mobile app, adding to cart like it’s my damn job. Among other fun finds, I was especially psyched for this Dia de Los Muertos wreath and marquee sign. Safe to say, the sign won’t be the only thing lit this Halloween 😉
- Allison Weiss: I revisited the days of “10 Things I Hate about You” with a friend last week and saw Letters to Cleo perform in SF. They absolutely rocked it, and I was completely taken aback by their opener, Allison Weiss. Her voice is captivating, her stage presence is comedic, and her talent is undeniable. Please, enjoy.
Well, I Guess This Is Growing Up
Moving to New York has helped me realize that I am officially, sort of, a grown-up. I’ve always had an independent spirit, but I’m learning each day how to do more on my own — often screwing things up along the way.*
Some highlights of my quasi-adulthood:
- Few things excite me more now than selecting home decor.
- I filed my taxes in FEBRUARY, not April (or October).
- Justin Bieber hosted + performed on SNL, and I felt nothing. Nothing!
- I’m washing my hair more often. Like, twice a week now.
- My bed was made every day this week for the first time since … ever.
Rest assured, I’m balancing all this maturity with weekend benders in Brooklyn and drunk purchases on etsy. But knowing I can handle some things I’d never managed before is pretty cool too.
*Exhibit A: This post was scheduled yesterday. I couldn’t bring myself to hit “Publish” after leaving my desk keys at home and being rendered useless for the first half of the workday.
Pinning a Place
While it was so much easier to move with only three suitcases in tow, I’ve quickly learned just how much I need to buy. Not stuff, necessarily — but certainly some necessities and touches to make our new apartment feel more like home than hotel.
For example, we’re currently sharing an air mattress. In the living room. Without curtains.
Adventurous, sure. But practical, hell no.
Thank goodness for Pinterest, allowing my Happy Home board to blow up as I dream of decorating and furnishing. I’ve never been so excited to spend monies.
A Perfect Palette: I love shades of gray + blush with pops of yellow.
Some pinspirations …
Off the Wall: From gilded temporary wallpaper to creative clings, I’ve
got it covered.
Clever + Cozy Accents: Hey girl, I know you love Kanye’s tweets and are in need of storage solutions.
And Just Because: Who doesn’t want a couch that converts into
bunk beds?!
All images and their sources can be found here.
Wittyburg.com 