Around the World

I've been totally obsessed with maps lately.  I think it started after our wedding when my mom gave us an old framed chess board with a map of Boston as the background.  We had the chess board for years growing up in the midwest, never knowing that one day I would wind up living there as an adult.  Whowouldathunk?!

Then last month, we came across a US map at the Vintage Bazaar.  One of our booth neighbors was selling it and gave it to us after they saw how much I liked it.  Over the past month, we've found a few more maps at random garage sales and thrift stores.  Now we're slowly building a collection!  All we need are maps of Ireland and Italy to represent Jerome's heritage and one of my namesake India.  Until we find the perfect ones, I'll be drooling over these awesome maps.

{via LeSueur Interiors}

Map cut and modge podged over canvases {via Little Birdie Secrets}

Map wallpaper {via Decor Pad}

Framed map hearts {via Everything Fabulous}

Hanging map.  LOVE the lamp too. {via Design Sponge}

Old map covering French door panes.  Great idea! {via Pink Wallpaper}

Chalkboard Globe {via Design Sponge}

India Map Pillow Cushion, $55, My Bearded Pigeon

Hand-Stitched India Map Necklace, $54, Il Gatto Selvatico


For more awesome maps, check out my "Navigate" Pinterest board.

Blik Your Walls

I'm all about wall decor.  As a renter, it can be hard finding a way to spice up boring neutral walls without violating your lease.  Though I paint all of our apartments and think art is great for adding pizzazz, I'm also a huge admirer of wall decals...they instantly change a room and come down in minutes when it's time to move.  Plus they come in awesome designs that are fun to play around with.

My coat tree decal in our old apartment.  Loved it, especially when we added hooks!

So as you can guess, I was super thrilled to see that Blik, one of my favorite decal companies, is working with Threadless on a line of self-adhesive wall tiles.  The tiles come in sets that can be cut to your desired size making them easy to use for non-wall projects like adding color to bookcases, spicing up a door, highlighting a nook, or even covering end tables.

"Summer Freshness" would be perfect in a kitchen or a kid's room.  So fun and colorful!  "Bird Flurry" is on the right. {via blik}

"Trees" {via threadless}

"Ten."  Cute for a kid's space. {via threadless}

"Take Shape Furs" is my favorite!  Would look glam in a dining room. {via threadless}

The tiles won't be available at Blik until July 12th, but you can pre-order them over at Threadless right now.  Have a tile design in mind that you don't see offered?  Make us proud and enter it in the Threadless Loves Patterns Challenge...the grand prize winner will have their design made into a wall tile, plus $2500.  If you win, don't forget to share some of the love with me for tipping you off to this great opportunity ;)

Heading to the Market

This weekend, stop by and shop our handmade and vintage goodies at the Randolph Street Market Saturday and Sunday.  The market is full of vintage dealers, indie designers, and yummy food like pizza crepes...I had one and they're awesome!  Fresh Home included the Randolph market on it's list of the 5 best antique markets in the country and design heavies like Nate Berkus have been known to stop by for a little shopping.  

If that's not enough, each purchase comes with a discount card for a chance to win either 10% off, $5 off your next order over $28, OR free shipping.  Come on, pizza crepes, discounts, and Nate Berkus...how could you pass this up!?

For more info:

Randolph St. Market website http://www.randolphstreetmarket.com/

Randolph St. Market on facebook http://www.facebook.com/randolphstreetmarket

I Think I'll Go to Boston

Last month we visited Boston for the first time since our move to Chicago.  We were only there for a few short days but we managed to pack in the christening of Jerome's godson, a bridal shower, hanging out with friends and family, and Jerome's birthday celebration.  Phew!  Though we weren't there long enough to eat do everything we wanted, we did get a chance to dine at some of our favorite places like Sunset Bar and Grille and Shabu Zen (awesome hot pot cooking) plus chow down on pizza and canoli in the North End.

Ah, the T.  Just as slow and annoying as always!

Walking through the North End on our way to Ernesto's for our favorite pizza to celebrate Jerome's birthday.

Mike's Pastry.  It's a huge tourist trap and is always packed but it's definitely worth the wait!  They have a gazillion and one different kinds of canoli to choose from but we stuck with the standard chocolate chip.  Delish!

These cakes look so amazing!

Every time we go to Mike's Pastry, I get a slice of Oreo cheesecake to take home and every time, Jerome leaves the box on the train.  Seriously.  This time the cake actually made it home and I got to eat the most delicious, scrumptious, decadent treat ever!  Can't wait to go back for more :)

While in the North End, we stumbled upon Shake the Tree, a cute boutique on Salem Street.  I don't know how I missed seeing it all these years but I'm definitely glad I went in this time.  The store is jam packed with the cutest accessories, gifts, and clothing.  I couldn't help but touch everything I saw!  I ended up buying a couple sets of stationery and a card for our cousin. If we weren't concerned with bringing stuff back on the plane (and if Jerome wasn't waiting impatiently for me outside), I would have bought more. If you're in the area, stop by.  Sorry for the horrible pictures, you know I'm a terrible photographer!

I love, love, LOVE the rainbow colored purse!  I was tempted to buy it but I already had a suitcase full of purses to bring home that I'd left at my in-laws back in August.  The fact that I didn't even remember half of the bags shows that I have a real purse addiction!  Next time...

We had a great time in Boston and can't wait to go back!  See you soon Boston! 

Are You Pinterest-ed?

Have you heard the word about Pinterest?  It's a social sharing site where you can create inspiration boards by pinning all your favorite photos from around the web to your own custom albums.  You can create boards (albums) for whatever you want...food, fashion, decor, travel, or whatever.  It's a great tool for gathering decorating inspiration, recipes, or party ideas, or just admiring all the great things in this world.  Like other social sites, you can follow people and the pictures they pin will show on your home page.  If you like one, you can like it, leave a comment, or repin it to your own board.

"In the Kitchen" - I have so many ideas for the day when I finally have a kitchen of my own to remodel.

"Getting Dressed" - Deep down there's a part of me dying to go back to wearing dresses and pumps instead of sweatshirts and sneakers!

Let me tell you right now, once you get started, YOU CAN'T STOP!!! Pretty soon every time you see a new picture you'll have an urge to pin it to a new board.  Pinterest auto-updates so your home page is constantly filling with new pictures from all the people you follow.  The most addictive pins are food.  Seeing all the yummy pictures that people post almost sends you into a food coma!  It's also inspirational...you can click on the images to go to their original websites.  That's how I found the S'Mores in a Jar recipe!

"Yum" - Hungry yet?!

The best part about Pinterest is that you often find your true sense of style through your boards.  After pinning several pictures, you usually start to notice a certain furniture style pop up multiple times or that you continually pin rooms that have deep blues in them.  It's neat to see how you subconsciously put things together.  I've learned that I'm definitely color obsessed and that industrial decor and graphic patterns tend to catch my eye.

"Work Work Work" - I think I'm addicted to work spaces.

Don't forget to follow me on Pinterest.  I've got 34 boards going so there's always something new coming up!

Have a Seat

Did you see what popped up in the Apartment 528 Store this weekend?  Furniture!!  That's right...the furniture many of you got a sneak peek of at the Vintage Bazaar is now going to be available online.  It will take us awhile to get everything uploaded but as soon as it is, I'll let you know.

Antique School Chair - $75

Set of 4 Orange Kitchen Chairs - $125

In addition to awesome retro furnishings, we'll also offer a line of vintage pieces customizable in a range of awesome paint colors and fabric patterns.  For now, furniture is only for customers able to pick up the pieces here in Chicago but that doesn't mean you can't drool over it for a little bit!

There's even more to come so keep watching!

Used Friday: Garage Salin'

Katherine from Back Garage (and Vintage Bazaar co-genius) is having a garage sale this weekend!  If you've seen her online shop, you know she'll have a bunch of awesome treasures in store.  We both live in Humboldt Park which means you better get there before me if you want the good stuff.  The flyer mentions something about grilling...could it get any better?!

If you want more vintage goodies, Back Garage and Cushion Chicago are having a warehouse sale.  I currently want everything in the picture!

Happy garage sales!

5/28 Giveaway Extended!!

My computer was broken all last week until it magically fixed itself yesterday.  Since I wasn't able to spread the word about the 28 Day Giveaway like I normally do, I'm now extending it to this week as well!

For you newbies, Apartment 528 is dedicated to my mom, who's birthday is 5/28.  She's my biggest inspiration.  I'm telling you, the lady's a creative mastermind!!  On the 28th of every month, we have a 28Day Giveaway where we throw all sorts of prizes your way.  This is the store's first 5/28 since we started 28Day so to celebrate, we went big...or at least that was the plan until my computer broke.

But to make up for it, you can win prizes all week!

Here are the rules.  From now until Sunday, you can enter to win an awesome item from the Apartment 528 Store.  Every day at 5:28pm we'll choose a winner at random to win that day's prize.  If you don't win at first, don't worry, each entry will be carried over to the next day so you have up to five days to win!

WEDNESDAY'S PRIZE

"DRINK" and Punctuation Coasters by Diffraction Fiber 

THURSDAY'S PRIZE

Set of 2 Owl Tea Towels by Branch Handmade

FRIDAY'S PRIZE

"M" Magazine Holder by Paperdoll Woodshop

SATURDAY'S PRIZE

$10 Apt528 Store Credit

SUNDAY'S GRAND PRIZE

$28 Apt528 Store Credit

To enter, use one (or more) of the following methods to tell us what you'd buy with $28 in Apt528 store credit:

1. Comment below.  Each comment counts as 1 entry.
2. Tweet us at @apt528.  Each tweet counts as 2 entries.
3. Leave a comment on our facebook page telling us what you'd buy with $28 in Apt528 store credit.  Each facebook comment counts as 3 entries.

Enter as many times as you want.   Each day at 5:28pm, a winner will be chosen at random to win that day's prize. Remember, if you don't win at first, your entry carries over to the next day.  Sunday I'll randomly pick a grand prize winner out of ALL the entries this week and announce it at 5:28pm. Contest ends at 5:20pm EASTERN Sunday, June 5th, 2011.

Good luck!