Giveaway {Large AI Embroidered Earrings}...

AI Large Embroidery Earring in Tropics

As you saw from this post, Chocolate Sushi Handmade has had a major 'Yay' moment!  So in the spirit of paying it forward I am sponsoring my first giveaway!  Previously my new Large AI Embroidered Earrings were only available at Bebe Noir, but now they are in the Etsy shop!

But you're here now so why not enter for your chance to win a pair?  They come in Citrus, Raspberry, Apricot, Grape and Tropics and if you are the winner you get to choose which color you want!

To enter:

1. You must be a follower of the blog.  (if you aren't already just click the follow button over there --->)
2. Let me know in the comments which color is your favorite.
3. Make sure that I can reach you via email to notify you if you win.

That's it!

All of the entrants names will be placed in a hat and the winner will be drawn at random!  {I know, you're highly impressed by my innovative technical skills}.

The winner will be chosen next Tuesday {August 3rd} at noon.

Good luck and thanks for playing!

Home office inspiration...

Although we are still in the midst of The Great Sofa Search I can't help but focus on the office/workspace.  I'm very motivated by my surroundings so it's important to me to get it right.  I feel like I'm definitely starting to get a clearer vision of what I need the space to be.  Here are some items that I've come across that are going to find their way into the space!

Ahhh, the desk.  Well, now that I am the proud owner of a gray task chair with a colorful seat, I definitely want a white desk.  Considering that I've been working on a square folding table since I started my business I will pretty much be happy with any real desk!  But I do love clean lines so it was only natural that I would lean towards the Parson's style.

Photo from Apartment Therapy

I believe the one in the photo is from West Elm, but  Overstock has a great one, too.

I also need something to go above my desk so I can pin up various and revolving pictures that inspire me.  I came across this pretty one...

Brocade Magnetic Bulletin Board

I love that you can use either magnets or pins because I don't like putting holes in my photographs.

One of my biggest challenges has been trying to figure out how to store/display my pieces that are awaiting a new home.  I considered getting a bunch of wall mounted coat racks for necklaces. Then, while on the Pottery Barn website, I came across these beauties...

Jewelry Display Frames

I LOVE these!  Obviously I would need more than 3 of them and the thought of  a grouping of at least ten of them gets me giddy!  To be honest, I don't know that I want to spend that much money so I may end up making them myself!  If I do I'll be sure to post a tutorial.

I also want to put up some inspirational wall art and I came across some great ones on Etsy!

farouche 

pleasebestill

letterhappy

Or this colorful version with the same message...

byjordanne

Or both!  It's such an important message that it wouldn't hurt to get it twice!

Although I have a feeling it will always be a work in progress I can't wait to get the space to its most basic done state.  I'll be sure to share the progress with you guys!

HOLY MOLY...{aka Exciting news}...

On Thursday I received what I will now refer to as one of my top five emails ever!  It was from a shopper/decorator who is currently working on a movie filming here in New York.  They were tasked to decorate "Nima's Apartment" and felt that my jewelry would fit the style of the character and wanted to dress her apartment with my pieces!  Me = blown away!

Now...I work in the film business so I know better than to get excited by an email, but then I got the order for 10 of my pieces!  YAY!  They were even kind enough to let me know that they received them and that they look great on the set!  Double YAY!  Okay, okay I also know that I shouldn't get excited until the movie comes out, but I can't help it...I'M EXCITED!

The movie is called Premium Rush. The plot according to IMDB is as follows:

"An action story set in New York City, where a
bike messenger (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) picks up a
package at Columbia University and subsequently
catches the attention of a dirty cop (Michael Shannon)."

And just so you know, the first draft of this post basically consisted of my typing 'YAY' over and over so editing it has taken some work!  Anyhow...I can't wait to see the film and I'll keep you updated if I hear anything else!

The great sofa search...

As I've said our new place is larger than our last one which can only mean one thing...new furniture!!!  Our biggest priority has been a new sofa.  Now, although our place is bigger it's still New York City.  So we decided the most seating for the space would probably come in the form of a sectional.

Once that was decided the internet searching began!  I soon came to realize that sectionals are no longer the overstuffed frumpy things that used to be in everyone's basement when I was little.  Thanks goodness!

I've narrowed down some of my faves (whether they're in my price range or not!):

 Jane Modern Bi-Sectional Sofa by Gus

Rochester Charcoal Sectional

Hayes Sectional

 

Charing Cross

 

Classic Giuseppina

Even though I love these I think we're trying to go for a super comfy, come on over we have the NFL Sunday Ticket vibe.  This means we'll most likely choose something more like one of these: 

 Soho Cobblestone

Monica Sectional

 

Libre

This one isn't a sectional, but how incredible is this thing!?

via dornob

The hunt continues.  This weekend we'll be jumping off the internet and heading to actual furniture stores.  Wish us luck!

{How to} Make your office chair pretty...

Hi all!  I spent all last week unpacking and configuring.  I'm not completely done yet, but I'm close!  We've also been searching for the perfect sofa and dining room set for the new space.  I'm still really exhausted, but I have to say that I am loving it!

As I said before I am most excited about the new work space!  Tomorrow is officially the first day that I will be able to use it because today I bought this:

It's the Desley Task Chair from Staples.  It comes in gray, pink and blue.  I'm on a serious gray kick lately so it was a no brainer.  Oh yea...and it was on sale for $29.99!  The only problem is that it's the chair that I plan to sit on while being creative.  Yea...kinda boring.

So before putting it together I took a look through my fabric stash.

After I chose the fabric and took all of the parts out of the box I realized that I was out of staples for my staple gun!  Here's a little Niko tidbit...when I put my mind to something I have to do it ASAP or I'll go crazy.  So, instead of stopping to go to a hardware store to get staples I pulled out upholstery nails that I had from many many years ago.  Definitely not as quick as the staple gun, but they get the job done!

I laid the fabric right side down and put the seat on the fabric, also right side down.  I roughly cut the shape of the seat leaving enough fabric to reach the wooden area. 

I put one nail in the front, pulled the fabric taut and put a nail in the back.  I repeated this process for the left and the right.  I then filled in the spaces in between leaving the corners for last.  The corners are tough if you're a perfectionist like myself, but just know that it can be done!

After trimming the excess fabric I cut strips of felt and tacked them around the fabric edges making sure to pull in any fabric that would cause bulging or pleating around the edges.  I used the strips because I didn't want to cover the holes for the seat base.  I followed the directions for constructing the chair and TADA:

A brand new pretty chair for me to sit on while I make pretty things!

Now to get a proper desk, finish setting up and adding more color!  I'll keep you posted!

Exciting news...

On June 30th we made the stupidest/best decision ever! 

{stupid}We decided to move, yes, that's right the day before the start of a new month.  Fortunately it was just to the apartment directly above so no moving trucks or real packing was involved.  That being said...I do not recommend moving last minute, especially when New York City is in the middle of a heatwave!

{best}I love love love our new place!  We actually have a dining area now!  New appliances in the kitchen!  I could go on and on, but hands down, the best thing about the new place is the fact that I will have a dedicated work space!  No longer do I have to move my work so that we can eat dinner!

The space, in it's current state, is as pictured above.  I swear that is not my design aesthetic I just need to finish unpacking!  Speaking of...