Home Decor DIY: Travel Map

We wanted to have a travel map where we could pin the cities we've been to.
However, we couldn't find anything that fits our budget. So a DIY is in order and this only costs about $10.


Materials I used: map, canvas, sponge, antiquing medium, candle and glue.


First, I applied the antiquing medium to both the map and the canvas.




Then, I tore the edges and burned it with a small candle.
As a safety precaution, I did this process outside.




Next, I glued the map to the canvas.



Lastly, I pinned the cities we've been to! The list is now 80 and counting!!


minneapolis. lawrence. topeka. kansas city. manila. chicago. wisconsin dells. san francisco. san diego. las vegas. boston. temecula. los angeles. london. manchester. paris. versailles. sydney. melbourne. cebu. boracay. bohol. singapore. kaikoura. christchurch. hanmer springs. cairns. hobart. bay of fires. freycinet. bicheno. launceston. beauty point. new york. richmond. jamestown. williamsburg. yorktown. orlando. washington dc. boca raton. delray beach. miami. key west. south beach. nassau. cococay. amsterdam. venlo. rome. venice. milan. florence. pisa. brussels. cologne. bruges. luxembourg. beaufort. bacharach. st. goar. antwerp. ghent. leuven. berlin. hamburg. dresden. prague. salzburg. innsbruck. lucerne. black forest. trier. bonn. hong kong. macau. windsor. bath. salisbury. rio de janeiro. sao paulo.
porto alegre. san salvador.

Colors of Fall

Living in the city for so many years, we've been so deprived of colors -- specifically, the beautiful colors of fall! This year, we were giddy as kids as we explored around our neighborhood and admired the nature around us!















-- Marc by Marc Jacobs hearts confetti top -- Lucky Brand jeans -- Dries van Noten pumps --

-- vintage Rochas necklace --

Parade of Nations Party

One of my goddaughters, whose name I share, is celebrating her 1st birthday next weekend. Check out the invites her parents sent out: a passport and boarding pass, what a cute design!! The theme is "Around the World" and guests are asked to dress up to represent any nation.

Too bad I won't be able to attend her party as I would be traveling that time. But that won't stop me from coming up with a costume anyway and still be there, if only virtually. ;)

My costume would have been this, representing China!

I got the dress from a thrift store for $4! I'm wearing it with a skirt on top -- sort of a reverse skress because the dress by itself is way too tight on me (gotta be decent to a children's party!) Then, I styled my hair into a messy bun and stuck 2 chopsticks for props, pulled this DvF "Roni" boots and voila!

It's too bad I couldn't come to her party, what a bummer!

Fall in Minne-SOH-ta

Enjoying a fine day in Minne-SOH-ta!

Weatherman says today is 10 degrees warmer than average.

Last year, we got a foot of snow around this time already.

I'm sure we will be paying dearly for this prolonged lovely fall weather.

But I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

-- Ann Taylor blazer -- Debenhams tee -- Lucky Brand Jeans -- Prada coral platform sandals --
-- Longchamp tote --

Next to Louboutins, I think Pradas got the sexiest soles!

VitaMinn MJ

I got this Marc by Marc Jacobs confetti hearts and jacquard top from Gilt a few weeks ago at the urging of my best friend. I "work" as her personal shopper in my spare time and supposedly, the Gilt purchases were all for her, but couldn't help it and got this one for myself as well!

I'm so glad I did because I loved it! So much so that I'm thinking of buying another one in blue.

...And here's how I styled it!

Last chance to wear these peep toe beauties before they hibernate in the shoe rack again.

-- Marc by Marc Jacobs confetti hearts top -- Express cardi -- Ferragamo Ribes peep toes --

-- Prada bag -- Dior sunglasses -- necklace and ring from Brazil --

Virtual Housewarming (Part 1)

It's been 6 months since we moved in to our new home and finally, I can say we're almost done furnishing and decorating. However, we have not had any proper housewarming party yet and will probably not have for a long while because I've been traveling again for work. Funny, in this digital age, my virtual friends get to have a sneak peak of our house before our real friends do. In any case, here's a few rooms we've completed already beginning with our formal living room -- which is pretty much done already, just missing a slightly edgy, slightly funky modern chair in the corner.

And what a perfect coincidence that I have been contacted again by CSNstores.com to do another product review! It seems I will find that perfect chair pretty soon here!

And here's our dining room. It's actually not a set. The table was from our old set, the end chairs were bought separately, and the 4 chairs with round cutout back are matching chairs for our dinette -- which we switched over with our old chairs! Confusing I know, but it works somehow, don't you think?!

The lamps, plants and accessories were inexpensive buys from Target, Walmart and Our Home.

The drapes and area rug were from lavish-interiors.com and came free from our builder!

And of course, you've seen our Travel Room which I blogged about here.

And in case you're wondering, my dressing room is still in the same exact state as when I last blogged about it here. Ironic, my favorite room in the house is probably the last one to get furnished and decorated.


OK folks, that's all for now! I'll be sure to continue this virtual housewarming post as soon as I can sneak a few hours off work!