{ like a chicken with its head cut off }

One of these days I'm going to stop apologizing for disappearing for days at a time. One of these days I'm going to be one of those girls who wakes up at 5am and gets a work out in and starts her productive day promptly at 8 and eats by 5 or 6. 

'Til then, I'm one of those girls who runs around like a chicken with her head cut off. 

I've been working on a mix of client projects. Like this one:

Bless my little clients hearts for being so sweet about this heinous photoshop job. The project has a super quick turn-around (3-4 weeks from start to finish) so I couldn't take my time making the storyboard ultra beautiful because we've got to get to making decisions and placing orders (it's kind of a hybrid of an e-design and local interior decorating project).  And obviously the plant would have a planter. Luckily, they got the idea. It's very urban, no? They live in an awesome lofty space in downtown Chicago with beautiful views. We're actually going to be going in a different direction than this, but I'm still a little obsessed with the kelly green. I'll have to find somewhere in my next home to utilize a little taste of it.

I'm also working downtown as a leasing agent a couple days a week to provide some steady income. On Sunday, I worked with Anne Book on her adorable son's room. All we did was rearrange the furniture, declutter, and reorganize and it feels like a completely room. All it cost was labor. Such an amazing testament to what a little elbow grease can do for ya! I wish I had before and after photos, but there will be plenty of those to come.

I'm still working on my website, y'all. Almost there. ALLLMOST.

I need to find something to wear to The Everygirl Contributors Party that is happening this Thursday. Must do laundry. Shoot.

See how scattered this post is? This is what my brain looks like these days. But in the end, you've just gotta keep going. So I shall. Off I go to shower and run like a bunny to try to catch the bus downtown!

Hope you all have the most wonderful day. Thanks so much for stopping in. lovelovelove

-C

{ not just for children }

Hey, lovely readers!

Sorry for being MIA yesterday. I was feeling under the weather from all of the heat this week and decided to take it easy while working from bed, but the poor little blog got the short end of the stick.

I'm wrapping up a client project this morning (although, I always say I'm wrapping them up and tend to  endlessly find more things to tweak...), drinking my coffee, and trying to gather pieces of my brain. I feel like lately they're scattered all over Chicago. 

Anyway. Let me get to the point. I was wrapping up a different client project a couple of days ago, and as I was gathering some color scheme inspiration for the sofa, I had a realization:

**If you pin or post this mood board elsewhere, please credit back to my site**

See those Moroccan throw pillows perched on that beauty-full couch? Yeah, those are from Posh Tots.

See these grey bordered roman shades? Yeah. Pottery Barn Kids.

Rugs courtesy of Land of Nod.

So what do you think? Am I crazy, or could this stuff totally extend beyond a nursery or a playroom?

Thanks for stopping in! lovelovelove.

-C

p.s. email me at reverie2realityblog@gmail.com for information and a price quote to work together on your own e-design project!

{ the most divine exhaustion }

via

I fell in love with this dining nook earlier this morning. 

Banquet seating, wishbone chairs, fun textiles, bunch of handpicked flowers, white walls, and lovely natural light.

I am more exhausted than I have been in a long, long time. But it is the most divine exhaustion. I am busy with so many things that I love. And most days I still can't believe I'm lucky enough to be doing everything that I am. I never, ever could have envisioned my life being what it is now. And there are still so many decisions to be made and possibilities to come. I'm not going to share them just yet, but I promise I will soon.

via

for now, you can find me filling up my coffee cup to keep my eyes alert. I'm off to get dressed for Day Two of the Jess LC Lookbook Shoot and a meeting. 

Hope you all have the most wonderful day. lovelovelove.

-C

{ Life Lately }

Hey, everyone! 

Sorry for my absence yesterday. This week has already become one of the busiest yet, and it's barely Tuesday! I'll go ahead and pay for refills of coffee in advance for the rest of the day.

I spent yesterday morning wrapping up a few projects for a client:

{a sneak peek at some of the work for their master bedroom}

Working over at Jess LC:

{photo via Jess Constable}

And doing a mix of designs for clients, The Everygirl, and social media work when I got home. My computer caused a ruckus with some work I was doing which led me to starting over at one point--it's a good thing I love what I do :). 

Needless to say, it was a late night and I didn't wake up until 7:30 this morning, which is terribly late for me these days.  The extra sleep was much needed.

The rest of this week will include more of the same, plus a couple of really fun/big styling projects which I can't wait to share with you so soon! You're gonna flip.

Hope you all have a wonderful day :) If you're needing some extra assistance with your home, feel free to email me for a price quote! I'll be taking on new clients this week :)

Thank you so much for stopping in. lovelovelove.

-C

{ Make It Work: One Couch, Two Ways }

Let's be honest. When you're decorating on a budget, sometimes you've gotta do as Tim Gunn would and "make it work." A couple of years ago my roommates and I were generously gifted a large, brown leather sofa for our new apartment by one of our moms. We were thrilled to have such a huge expense taken off our plate, but were originally a little bit stumped on how to make the piece feel like "us." If you can relate to a similar challenge, don't fret. There are endless possibilities to furniture pieces even if they aren't what you would originally envision.

Here we have two opposite looks that you can achieve with a basic, brown leather sofa. Note that I didn't use a brown leather sofa from Restoration Hardware with gorgeous tufting and lines. We're talkin' the basics here, because I'm not tryin' to pull the wool over your eyes! This is truly about making what you have work without sacrificing your taste or vision for your space.

Option One: Soften the space with cool, subtle tones and mix glam, shiny materials with worn wood to keep things well rounded. A pop of fresh flowers and a soft, fluffy throw pillow will balance the harsher dark leather.

Option Two: If a dark leather couch seems too traditional and serious for you, there are plenty of ways to insert personality. Bright accessories, a graphic rug, modern shapes and plants will make your living room come alive in no time. 

You don't have to pigeon hole yourself with the pieces you have to work with. Have fun, try things out, and see what works. Throw pillows aren't permanent, and experimenting is half the fun!

Need a little extra help? Email me your design dilemma and receive a custom mood board and breakdown for only $30***. See here for more details.

Thanks so much for stopping in, guys! Have a wonderful day. lovelovelove.

-C

***Because of demand, my services and price list have expanded and changed! See here for more details  about how we can work together :)

{ Open for Business! }

Good Morning, friends! Happy Monday!

My new schedule has left me still trying to find my rhythm here in the Windy City, but I think this week I'm gonna nail it :). Fingers crossed.

Since my Home Tour was featured on The Everygirl in April, I've gotten emails here and there asking for some decorating/design advice. So, I got to thinking and decided it was time to finally pull the trigger on something I've been wanting to do for a while now!

Whether you've got a specific design dilemma, or just moved into a new home and need help getting a room or two together, I would be delighted to help by creating a custom mood board just for you!

Your custom mood board will help with furniture selection, color scheme, layout, etc. 

Here is what I need from you:

*2-4 photos of your space

*3-5 inspiration photos of rooms that you love (check out Pinterest, House Beautiful, Better Home and Gardens, blogs, etc.)

*a budget for all of the changes you'd like to make

*a brief letter explaining what your current issues with the space are

In addition to the mood board including a selection of furniture, accessories, ideas for a color scheme, I'll also include a breakdown of the chosen products, and layout and budgeting suggestions. I'll help you figure out which pieces you should splurge on and can even help scour Craigslist for options in your area.

Whether you need help selecting some furniture pieces, or choosing new accessories to revamp the pieces that you already have, just email me and we can figure something out for you. The main purpose of the mood board is to get you inspired to reinvent your space and narrow your direction and focus! Don't let your budget stop you. Being thrifty is my jam.

Seeing as I'm away from my beloved apartment all summer, I'm itching for projects. So do us both a favor and don't hesitate to reach out ;).

{photo by Arielle Elise Photography for The Everygirl}

For now, mood boards will start at $30, ** so get 'em while they're hot! Email me at reverie2realityblog@gmail.com for more information or to sign up today for your custom mood board! You know you wanna. 

Hope to hear from you soon! I hope you have a wonderful week. Thanks so much for stopping in! lovelovelove.

-C

**because of demand, my decorating services have expanded! See the "Hire Me" page for more details!