MASTER BEDROOM REVAMP – Totally Haute In Black


    

      Where to begin my tale of the re-vamp?  Well, if you’ve seen any of the other re-vamp posts like the kitchen, dining room, living room, office or guest bathroom or guest bedroom…then you already know that when we got married, I left my perfectly wonderful home (in my mind) to move into his.  I put my things in storage, rented it out and stuffed myself into someone else’s world.

    

      How romantic! Not so much.  The house was so naked and sterile that it freaked me out when I first met him.  It was too perfect, simple, clean, organized…the soup cans were even lined up too perfectly! (A sign of deep rooted control issues… didn’t you watch Sleeping With the Enemy?!)

Luxor Living and Style, black paint, black bedroom, decor ideas in black, Martha Stewart paint in Francesca, Martha Stewart paint, Luxor Living and Style, Stephanie Sjoberg

 Eventually I realized he was somewhat sane and we were married, so there I was…moving into this white house with white furniture, no warmth, no fun.

     Jazzy and I tiptoed around on eggshells feeling uncomfortable in a new place, but then when we adopted Bella it really helped to break down the need for everything to be perfect because it clearly would never be. (Do you know any chihuahuas ???)


     As far as this bedroom goes, I wanted to be fair and not make it too girly for a grown man, so I decided that black painted walls in Francesca by Martha Stewart would be perfect for us.

     The kitchen is black and there is a black accent wall in the living room, so the black flows well enough with the rest of the house.

 

     I created a black canopy over the otherwise bland headboard to create the illusion of layering and depth.  I used a wall sconce to hold the fabric.  I may do a D-I-Y post on the canopy in the future if anyone cares!

     I used the bench for the foot of the bed, that was originally in the living room.  We needed it for depth, to dress up the bed, and of course, a place to sit while putting on your Spanx!  The detail in the 30 year old piece adds a high end, old world charm.

Setting the dresser top was simple.  I used an old lead crystal lamp that’s been stored in a closet for almost two years.  The statue belonged to my mom and I used old crystal candlestick holders that were also tucked away unused.  The perfume tray is perfect being out in the open, so I can throw on a scent before running out the door.  I think it looks cute and girly, too!

 

     The tiny snow scene art collection has been stored in a closet and is something I already owned.  I was actually thinking of using it in our bedroom when I chose the paint color.

     The large gold mirror next to the bed is something I’ve also had for years!

 

I feel the need to disclose that this bedroom revamp cost less than $400.  We all could decorate fabulously if we had an endless supply of funds with which to squander on luxuries.  Living well on a budget is an art!

    The paint job took 2 cans of paint.  The only new things that were purchased were the lamp shades, the mirrors above each nightstand, the comforter and a few pillows a well as the wall sconce and curtains hanging from it. Everything was less than $400.  

     I really, really loathe the prospect of showing a before photo but I suppose I should for contrast.

    

      That bedroom made me cringe every time I walked into it.  It had no heart.  It wasn’t cozy or fun.

The new look flows more with the house, it’s fun and cozy and functional and it didn’t cost a lot to transform into a happier space!  

   Dark wood flooring is on my list for next year, for the entire house, however the master bathroom is next on the re-vamp project list for now!

     I love doing the blog posts because it forces me to stick with the time lines and goals I set for myself.  I would be interested in your comments on the project!

 

-January 22, 2013

SDS

      
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INCOGNITO WITH CARLOS

INCOGNITO with Carlos

Carlos Santana shoes, Houston bloggers, fashion blog, Stephanie Sjoberg, stylist, Luxor Living

shoes by Carlos Santana, bracelets by Brighton, necklace by Tiffany & Co.

     

     While it is true that I have an Apartment Locating business, I also work in the beauty industry for a cosmetics company in management and have spent years working in higher end fashion management. This means, that I wear make up daily.  


     

     So many times, I have gone to visit a new apartment community to take pictures or just check it out before referring a client and the office staff members are usually amused that I bother to dress up or do my hair and this is because they say that most locators are very, very casual.  I want to be taken seriously so I dress professional when working every day.


     

     That all being stated, on a free day off with no cosmetics or apartment work…I do not always want to wear a face full of drama!


     I’ve decided a bright lip makes up for no eye make up, and fun and casual clothes have always been my thing.  This is me.  This is a casual day of grocery store shopping, a quick lunch and a brief hour at the park with my husband.


     

     Anyone who knows me, knows this is my favorite hat!  It makes life so easy to throw up a pony, throw on a hat and glasses and go!  These are my Incognito days.


     

     The shoes are new from Carlos Santana and they are extremely comfortable and the name is actually “Extreme.” I love the suede look for winter.

 

    Platforms are the best when wanting some height and comfort and these are so comfortable they are my new casual shoes!

-December 20, 2012

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CRAZY TEXAS WINTER

CRAZY TEXAS WINTER  

The Woodlands Waterway, dogs, Chihuahua, Jazzy, Luxor Living

     

     The most ignorant thing I recall in recent years, was forcing myself to go to an interview with a Regional director for a company one December in The Woodlands, Texas and on that particular day, it was 85 degrees outside.


   

     As we sat outside at the Starbucks cafe, I found it insane that she was dressed “season appropriate” in a fake fur vest, corduroy pants, and a long sleeved turtleneck.  While I did play the game, and wear a typical black interview suit, I couldn’t agree with her about her views on dressing season appropriate. 


   

      Her take was that we would sell tons of thick cords, turtlenecks and fur vests…if all the employees would just wear them to work.

       In her mind, we would all pretend it was cold and sales would be great.  I, however, was of the mindset that her corporate office would be intelligent enough to allocate the appropriate clothing to the appropriate states.

    Flash forward to the present, and again, years later, I find myself in a beautiful 83 degrees in Texas on a day in December, so I chose to wear shorts.


   ring by David Yurman, bracelet by Tiffany & Co., bag by Michael Kors, top by Francesca’s

       I believe I will most likely have on a leather jacket tomorrow, when the weather changes overnight and it is 50 degrees again, however, when I dress I respect the weather conditions and not what I am told it is time to wear by the “Machine.”

    In the meantime, we had a nice day which included lunch on the waterway with Jazzy and the rebel Bella, and it felt like a small 3 hour mid day vacation, hence the casual-ish attire!


     The black sheer top with gold collar bling, and winter white shorts both came from Francesca’s and the pearl necklace is from Charming Charlie and of course the shoes are from Pink & Pepper !

 

-December 9, 2012

-SDS

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ROCK SOME KITTY WITH A LITTLE KORS


     I remember the first time I ever saw anything Hello Kitty.

     I was back-to-school shopping with my mom at Foley’s before entering the 2nd grade.  There was a little “Sanrio” booth next to the register with wonderful little nick nacks and most were decorated in pink with a little kitty face on them.  That was the first year that the kitty was added to the lineup of the Japanese company’s characters.

The Hello Kitty franchise has grown tremendously over the years and you can find pretty much anything with Hello Kitty and her friends on it.

This top struck me when I found it as being something fun to throw on for a casual day or night.  I love the logo seen on the back hip!  Well, and I love the gold metallic trim, the gold studs around the neck with mesh detail!  It has short sleeves so I thought this short cropped leather jacket would be a great addition for a cool November day out to lunch.

The Sanrio company just rocks, and so does Hello Kitty and that’s all there is to it!  IF you want to check out the multitudes of Kitty products that exist, then check out the Sanrio site.

     The black clutch is the Michael Kors & Estee Lauder Holiday bag out now for Fall 2012.  The nail color and lip colors shown are the ones from the purchase as well!  The shoes are from Jessica Simpson.

 

-December 6, 2012

SDS

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CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP- Monterrey & Pebble Beach

California Road Trip-

Monterrey & Pebble Beach

California Road trip, travel blog, Stephanie

     As we left to head for Monterrey, the coast line became phenomenal with wonderful places to stop, enjoy the cool air and breathtaking scenery together.


          This year has presented some challenges, so to be able to take a break, and enjoy the beautiful earth that God created, was wonderful.  How any person on earth, could look at the beautiful birds, oceans full of life or even just a pet with a smile on its face, wanting your love and companionship… could walk away and still think there is no God, is insane.


          Some of these photos are taken at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns state park and overlook some amazing scenery, just off Hwy 1. 

Pebble Beach     Making our way further down Hwy 1, towards Pebble Beach, there were many places to stop and enjoy the view.  Everyone should take the trip along the coast at least once in their life span, or they have not lived.

     Sea lions off the Pebble Beach coast, barking like dogs…is this something you would get used to if you lived here? Not me, the rocks with sea lions on it behind me were full of sea life at it warmed my heart.

Ken Sjoberg, KS TENNIS USA, Stephanie Sjoberg     We spent the night in Monterrey after eating at Cannery Row, but the next day we would finally get to Carmel-by-the-Sea, which I refer to as my “hometown.”

         September 6, 2012

SDS

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PURE SPECULATION SERIES: GIRL GROUP CONFIDENTIAL

Girl Group Confidential

   There’s a group of females I know, that I met through work.  They are all smart and nice and seem to be organized in their lives.  Over the years, they always manage to get together and plan big, fun events that are “Girls Only” most times.  This photo is from 4 years ago, in which one of them had planned a fun “stripper pole” class before a group dinner. I’ve never laughed so hard in my life! After all, life is meant to be shared and experienced together!

   I’ve always been amazed at their ability to get 10 to 20 people together for a dinner party, vacation or concert planned to the tee, always well in advance.

   

   It seems that when my friends try to only get 5 people to meet for dinner, only 2 actually make it.

  

   I believe the difference with what we will call, “The It Girls Group,” is that for each event, only one person plans it, not seeking council from the others, so it doesn’t fall apart.  This way, either you attend or don’t, but it won’t disintegrate before getting started, due to each person wanting something different.   The next time around, the other person gets to plan their own. 

   Again, these are high caliber, intelligent females that appear to follow a life plan.   I assure you, non of them will be found to one day be living in a women’s shelter one day in their late 40’s with three kids because they stayed too long with a man who beat them and they had no money of their own. I’ve always been amazed at how calculated their life decisions are, and have watched them since college, navigate through life.

 

   So, a friend and I were talking, and there was a phase where I was mainly working from home on a new business that I had just begun, and since everyone knew I was available to listen to their issue of the moment, I was the telephone counselor for so many, it was hard to continue focusing on actual work that paid!  Another friend and I decided to help another person we knew, and hold a benefit party. Along came the idea to form a small “Ladies Group.”

   I was going through one of those rare time periods in life, where everything is perfect, so I felt the need to connect with others and help.  I noticed it was so hard getting it going, due to too much outside interference.

   My brother gave me a book as a gift, titled “Girl Group Confidential,” by Jennifer Worick .

 

   I recommend this book to anyone wanting to get the most out of their friendships and have more meaningful get-togethers !

   It’s fun ,has great ideas to enhance and take the stress out of  event planning! I recommend this read if you are wanting to organize your future events.

                               August 11, 2012

SDS

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