This holiday season in particular was VERY busy for me. At the beginning of December I FINALLY finished my bachelor's degree with the University of Virginia. PHEW! I turned 31 on December 1st and have pretty much been going to school since I was 20. Eleven years for a bachelor's is a bit insane. Of course it wasn't all with UVa, I started at Northern Virginia Community College, went to West Virginia University for a year and then back to NVCC and once my associates was complete, I began the BIS program with UVa. The program is three years long as long as you take 2 classes per semester, for all three semesters a year. It then culminates in a capstone research project which has been described by the faculty as a mini dissertation. The research process lasts for two semesters, one of which was mostly independent study and writing time. I can say it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but its done! I walk in May, but I think my diploma will be sent before that. For Christmas I got a frame for it. Apparently UVa's diplomas are one of the biggest in the country.
Anyway, pair all of that with Thanksgiving, Christmas and making up time at work, it was a really hectic holiday season. I am very happy its over and life can return to normal. I didn't waste any time getting back to decorating and creating either!
I have so many things on my to-do list that I really don't know where to begin which often prevents me from doing anything at all! I found an awesome pin on pinterest that I absolutely HAD to recreate. Unfortunately it was a Christmas decoration and I just now finished it on Friday. Oh well it will be ready to go for next year!
I also have renewed my interest in make-up (it is a form of art you know) and decided that I needed a vanity. Since we have limited funds right now, I decided to create one from random IKEA parts. There are several pins on Pinterest that I used as inspiration. I chose a shelf from IKEA and found some legs there intended for a line of desktops they carry. I already had two awesome lights from there that I was going to use as our nightstand lights but I felt they worked with the vanity a little better. I had the chair from IKEA because I had initially wanted to use it for my sewing table but my existing office chair worked better with it, so I had this chair just sitting around. It works perfecting with the vanity. And then I purchased the mirror while I was picking up the other parts. I like the shelf that I chose because the glass allows me to view all of my makeup without having to dig through a drawer. Keep in mind that pretty much NONE of my makeup is pictured here. I ordered some cheap trays that have yet to arrive so once I get it all organized I will post another pic.
Next, I finally decided on a comforter set for our bedroom. Its taken me over a year to pic something (thats permanent) because I have learned the hard way that I need a comforter that is at least 110" wide because our bed is very high and our mattress is thick so everything I've purchased was simply too short! I am SO HAPPY with the way this turned out! Please imagine a third euro sham in the gaping hole at the back. I totally forgot to order three during the initial order so its on its way.
I am going to head out to Lowes after posting this to find some swathes for paint. I want something dark and bold so that the bed and our other white furniture really pops. It will probably end up being that golden yellow color or a warm grey color.
And of course my blog post wouldn't be complete without a token Daisy picture. She is passed out in this one. Oh to be a Daisy dog.
Hope you guys had a wonderful holiday season! And I also wish you the best of new year's. :)
