Gold Rush

I have been scouting the market for months in search of a triptych mirror to place on my vanity. Not only does this classic three-way mirror evoke feminine elegance, it also allows you to view yourself from various angles, making it a fantastic addition to any dressing table. Yet it has been exceptionally difficult to find many decent selections – most options were too small, too ornate, poorly made, sold as sets with tables, or just insanely expensive.

The Chelsea Vanity mirror from Pottery Barn Teen (PBT, who would’ve thought??) was the closest match to what I had in mind in terms of style and dimensions, but it was only available in white or green. The fact that the mirror would require a paint job in order to compliment my black vanity table made the $350 price tag impossible to justify. Nevertheless, I stalked this mirror for about half a year and nearly choked on my kombucha last week when I saw that the “Heirloom Green” had gone on sale for $87. I gladly bit the $50 delivery surcharge bullet and clicked Add to Basket.

My green mirror arrived a few days later. The delivery guy seemed a bit perplexed when I declined his offer to help with assembly, but I wanted to paint each section individually prior to joining the three panels together. I started by carefully lining the mirrors with painter’s tape and paper. After going over the frame with a fine grain sanding block and cleaning off the dust, I was ready to paint.

Spray painting is really fun and easy – just be sure to use multiple thin coats in order to achieve a smooth and even finish. Using sweeping motions, begin and end spraying away from the item in order to avoid spatters. Give each coat a few minutes to dry before applying an additional layer, and make sure you have plenty of ventilation! We were blessed with gorgeously un-humid weather this past weekend (a total rarity in NYC lately), and the paint dried within an hour. The final steps involved installing hinging hardware, removing the tape and paper, and giving the mirrors a quick wipe.

Initially, I was pretty nervous about going gold, but I’m so glad I took the risk! Its surprisingly subtle sheen completely lights up the corner of our bedroom. Here’s a peek at the final product and as well as a some of the goodies I’ve got stashed away in my glamorous new nook :)

{Shades of Light, Laura Ashley, Architectural Digest, Restoration Hardware}

Prints Charming

Last night, I came home to find a package sitting by our front door. Don’t you love it when that happens? Turns out Chris had one of my favorite photos from our wedding blown up onto a gallery-wrapped canvas. This photo was taken during our first dance by our good friend, Benjamin. I love its dreamy and semi-abstract depiction of a moment that still remains crystal clear in my mind.

I’m usually pretty reserved when it comes to displaying photos of ourselves around our home, but this one definitely makes the cut! Such a thoughtful surprise from Mr. Jeng. He gets points for this one :)

Because Hipstamatic Does Not a Photographer Make

I purchased this lovely DSLR camera a while back in hopes of learning how to capture beautiful pictorial stories. As a pupating shutterbug, mastering all the technical aspects of digital photography seems like an extremely daunting challenge. Luckily, I have a bunch of talented, camera-savvy friends who have offered to bestow knowledge upon me and help me understand the process. Once I get a grasp on the basics, I can start exploring the imagination, art, and science behind remarkable photography.

So far, I’ve learned that exceptional photography does not require fancy cameras and equipment. What’s truly vital is the honesty and courage to share the world through your eyes. I am curious to see what will unfold as I develop to my potential, and can’t wait to share my creative endeavors with you!