Monday, December 19, 2011

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Handmade Christmas tags

I love handmade gifts they give such a personal touch. Better homes and gardens shows these tags made out of shipping tags. They are available at office max and the tags we use at hip! I'm sure there are lots of other creative tags you can make with them!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Lovely Leaves

I am in awe over the beautiful colors the leaves are changing too. Hopefully I will get out and capture some more photos soon!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Chain Tray

I am loving this idea from PS I made This. I will definitly be trying out this idea as soon as I get a chance. Right now though, I am busy being sick and packing to move to a new apartment. I am so excited to be in a very new modern place! I will definitly have photos when i'm done getting everything set up. I wish I had unlimited money right now so I could go all out on the place, guess that will take time. Anyways check out this cute chain tray!




The simple directions are from PS I made this:

To create- lay chain or other jewelry face down onto copy machine in your desired pattern. Be sure to keep the lid OPEN, this will create a black background when you hit “Color Copy”. Depending on size of the frame, you may need 1-2 sheets of copied paper. After the ink is totally dry, use double stick tape to connect paper together, which make it look like a seamless and continued pattern. Place papers under glass, and secure into the frame. Use Gorilla Glue (toughest stuff on the planet) to adhere handles, (which are actually drawer pulls that you pick up at the hardware store) to the sides of the frame. Hold in place, and let dry for 24 hours before picking up.


Saturday, September 24, 2011

Modern Lighting

Just came across nichemodern.com. I am in love. The combination of hand blown glass, beautiful colors, filament lightbulbs and modern design has me in awe.




Where have you seen cool modern lighting designs? It seems a bit difficult to find. I often have customers asking me where to go and I can no longer send them to Lux as they shut their doors earlier this year.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Paint Chip Chandelier

Over the past year, I have seen some great ideas on creative ways to reuse paint chips. My laptop took a dive and I no longer have it, thus the photos I have saved of paint chip projects is not easily accessabile (luckily I did get it put on an external drive). But I found the best paint chip project so far!

Hey Gorgeous completed a paint chip chandelier and it was published in Smitten Magazine!


Talk about creative! I will have to dream up something to create my own paint chip art! Have you done anything cool with old paint chips?

Friday, July 15, 2011

After watching extreme couponing, I have began reasarching the world of couponing. My favorite resource is Money Saving Mom. You subscribe and daily receive a newsletter detailing the best deals.Often specific savings are shown for a store and have clickable coupons allowing you to replicate the deal, sometimes for free or mere pennies. I wasn't able to take a screenshot but below is an example of what it looks like.
SUPER COUPONS
Breyers Ice Cream, Magnum Ice Cream Bars, Starbucks Ice Cream – $2.49 (Limit 10)
-Use $.75/1 Breyers Blasts printable coupon OR
-Use $1/1 Magnum printable coupon (or RP 6/26) OR
-Use $1.25/1 Starbucks Ice Cream printable coupon
Final Price = As low as $1.24
Red Baron Singles – $1.99 (Limit 10)
-Use $1/1 Red Baron coupon (SS 6/5)
Final Price = $.99
Tide Detergent – $5.99 (Limit 2)
-Use $1/2 Tide Detergent coupon (PG 7/3)
Final Price = $10.98 for 2 ($5.49 each)
Herbal Essences Haircare – $2.49 (Limit 4)
-Use $3/1 Styler WYB Herbal Essences coupon (PG 7/3)
Final Price = $2.49 for 2 ($1.25 each)
Ziploc Food Bags – $1.49 (Limit 2)
-Use $1/2 Ziploc printable coupon (Recyclebank)
Final Price = $1.98 for 2 ($.99 each)
Minute Maid Pomegranate Blueberry – $2.99 (Limit 2)
-Use $.75/1 Minute Maid printable coupon
Final Price = $2.24

On my shopping experience I choose to go to target for some household items. Target.com has printable coupons updated frequently. If you are lucky AND smart you will find manufacturer coupons for the same items that you can use with the target coupon. I also compare prices and quantities. Targets brand up and up has similar products to the name brands, often with the same ingredients, for significantly less.
I got all of these products on my shopping trip:



up and up cleaning wipes $3.99-$0.50 coupon=$3.49 
scrubbing bubbles on sale for $2.50
up and up brand swiffer wet jet refill pads 16 for $6.19
20 Method dish tabs $4.99-$1 coupon=$3.99
2 sour patch candies at $1.99 each-$1 coupon for 2=$2.98
2 packages Johnsonville hot dogs $2.54 each-$1 off=$4.08
3 vitamin waters $1 each - buy two get one free coupon =$2
up and up hand soap $0.89
Old spice deoderant ($4.49) (with trial size body wash) and body wash ($3.49)used buy one get one free coupon and $1 off=$3.29 for everything
Colgate Max $2.74-$1off (target coupon) and $1 off manufacturer=$0.74
Excedrin 20 count $4.24-$1 target coupon and $1 manufacturer=$2.24
2 boxes of kellog protein bars (6) $5.44 each (no deal here but I eat these every morning)
2 different sizes of heft one zip bags with $1 off each=$2 for both
Angel soft toilet paper 12 pk $5.99 (no coupons)
Ball point pens$1.44-$1 taget coupon=$0.44 for two pens
up and up printer paper $3.14
Total $52.25
Total savings 19.49

Its nothing amazing like on extreme couponing but overall I saved $20 on things I needed. If I can continue shopping this way I will save a lot of money over time! Do you coupon? 

Thursday, July 14, 2011

The world of advertising

I have always been very intrigued in advertising and graphics. I have done a few things here and there with graphics but nothing major. I am always around when my boss makes ads for the furniture store and originally thought it would be fun to create one of my own. However, I quickly became intimidated as there is a specific look and way he likes the ads. Yesterday he decided to have me start messing with an ad, gave me all these thoughts/directions and then left for the day. Oh boy was I overwhelmed. I do okay in photoshop but I am definitly not a pro at it. After messing around with the ad for quite a few hours I finally finished and sent it to him for his review. He actually liked it a lot, but we tweaked a few things on it to create a better looking ad. The ad was almost even used for print in Just Out! Unfortunately some of the images were not high enough quality for print. Overall I think it turned out quite well, if I do say so myself :)


Thursday, June 30, 2011

Alchemia Chair in the Spotlight




                                                       All photos by Kristen Peterson.

Meet the Alchemia by Calligaris! A stunning polycarbonate chair in various colors and stackable up to six! This lightweight chair is suprisingly quite comfortable for a "plastic" chair. Come on in to  Hip to see it in person, I am sure you will love it!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Factors to Consider When Purchasing Furniture

Check out this post I did for the hip website!

 

factors to consider when purchasing furniture

Kristen
Furniture Talk


• Measure your space
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• Decide what you want to keep and what needs to go
• It is best to go with neutral colors for your main pieces such as your sofa or sectional.You can add color and character whenever you like by switching out pillows, accessories, artwork and wall color.

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• Find pieces that function well for you and your family. Example: If you are buying a sectional for a media room you do not want to choose the firmest piece, you want to choose something like the lazytime allowing you to lounge.

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The
Lazytime by Camerich
• Use masking tape or painters tape to mark out the area you want to place the furniture. This allows you to see how the piece will really fit and work in the room.

ImageImage via
• Check out a few swatches you like and look at them in the space morning, afternoon and evening. Color changes drastically with lighting conditions.
 
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• You don’t have to do everything at once, focus on one room or one piece at a time. Get the largest pieces first and form the room around it. It’s okay to spend a year transitioning the room.

• Questions to ponder about the specific pieces you are looking at
- how is the piece going to hold up over time?
-what is the warranty on it?
-How do you clean it?
-How many double rubs are there?
*The wyzenbeek is a test done to determine how many times the fabric can be “rubbed” before the fabric shows significant signs of wear. A machine holds the piece of fabric down very tightly and an abrasive material is rubbed against it. Upholstery fabric must go through this test. Once you get to 25,000 double rubs, it is considered commercial grade. The higher number, the longer the upholstery will last.

• There are not many stores that carry stock of items these days. Hip has chose to focus on having custom pieces that are ordered in the material and finish you prefer.
• Most items have many options just ask!
• Please feel free to chat with us at the store. We really are here to help and want you to truly love your pieces for years to come. We all have a keen eye for design and 2 of us even have our interior design degree. I dare you to pick are brains.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Unique Jewelry Displays

Most girls have a ton of Jewelry. Whats a girl to do with all of it? Check out these unique storage ideas!
The Borrowed Abode shares a great idea of taking a used window pane and refurbishing it, while adding a few knobs, hooks and screen to create a large display of your jewelry! I Love it!



 View the full tutorial here

My friend Kelley had a great DIY on an earring holder that doubles as a display!

I love the look  of hanging your earrings in a picture frame displaying them. 


 PUREGREENLIVING.COM shared this great earring holder! This reminds me of looking at jewelry in a cute boutique!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The William- a different kind of stove top

The unique stove top uses a new technology to create the heat on the exact area you set your pan and only that area. It is large enough to allow 21 different items to be set down and heated at the same time! It also has extremely useful controls allowing you to specify what to do, example: in 20 minutes reduce to simmer.I'm sure the "William" is a pretty penny but it sure seems handy! 

Summer Shoes


BP espadrille sandal, $60
BP. bp shoes, $50
Enzo Angiolini platform shoes, $89
Enzo Angiolini leather sandal, $80
Pumps, $45
Enzo Angiolini leather peep toe pumps, $89
Seychelles strap sandal, $70
G by Guess high heel pumps, $45
madden girl Fira Sandal, $40


I am sure wanting to go shoe shopping! There are so many cute shoes out right now! I need to snag a few pairs. Unfortunately I am really trying to save my money, but these are just so tempting!  

Monday, May 2, 2011

This photo makes me smile

Today I attended my photography workshop "Capturing True Emotion." I learned an incredible amount of information during the 6 hours. This allowed me to finally learn how to use my new camera. I will give a detailed blog post on some helpful tips and tricks I learned. But for now, here is my favorite photo of the day! I'm so happy I captured this and I believe it turned out incredible!

 

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Stunning Stairs

How cool are these stairs?! I am in awe over the sleek and modern design. I NEED a home like this! 




 Stairs by Siller Stairs. All photos were found on Fresh Home  . Both sites will have you in awe, be prepared!

Friday, April 29, 2011

Innovative Bookshelf

You must see this super cool bookshelf/holder for your paperback books! Love the creative idea.