The Lovely Side

So I'm getting ready to move from my teeny-tiny university-owned apartment into a nice house with two other girls.  (I'm soooo excited!)  And I know, I know--I never got around to posting pics of my current place.  I promise, they will be up by the end of next week.  Also, this time around I'm going to take before and after pictures... especially since I get to actually paint my room in the house!  Yes, I said paint!!
But amid this mess called moving, I'm sure many of you are suffering or about to suffer the woes of packing and moving out and moving in and unpacking.  (Oh, what a vicious cycle.)  Fortunately, I have the rare luxury of several weeks to little-by-little move my stuff into the new place.  Still, I long for the strong arms of a boy (or several) to help me in this process... especially now that I'm boyfriend-less.  And I was thinking that it would be a completely brilliant idea for someone to start a company in which people can hire young, virile college…

Okay.  So in recent weeks, I've hinted at the fact that I have a pretty awesome internship.  It's time to share!  But first let me give you a little background information.  Last fall, I was still an education major.  And I hated it.  I love kids and I admire teachers so much (it takes a really special person!) but it just wasn't for me.  I was unhappy, so I focused on what makes me really happy--writing.  I belonged to the Writers' Guild of Iowa State University (a student organization for creative writers).  I talked to the advisor of the club about my uncertainty with my major and my passion for my blog.  She checked it out and strongly recommended I apply for a summer internship at Meredith.
Meredith?  I'd never heard of it before.  I asked around and did some digging around on the internet.  Meredith Corporation is one of the leading media and marketing companies in the nation.  Better yet, they are the publisher of my favorite magazines: Do It Yourself, Stor…

Last Spring I wrote my first story for the Iowa State student-run fashion magazine Trend.  My assignment was to tour a well-decorated student apartment and interview the renter about their design choices.  The honor went to Tyler Clarey, a graduate student in Interior Design. 
Tyler stuck to a neutral palette with pops of color dispersed throughout the apartment.  In the back corner of the living room, a vintage suitcase stores blankets.  A console table displays his books, a yellow toolbox from Found Things in Des Moines, and a green charging station he scored on sale for only $25 from Pottery Barn.
A big fan of typography, the numbers 1969 on canvas make a bold statement on the wall.  The chair is from Ikea.
Tyler continued the neutral palette through the rug, coffee tables, and couch.  Clutter is kept to a minimum.  And while the space is modern and neutral, it is anything but cold.  Patterned pillows, rich texture, and artwork warm up the room.
 Here's a nice view of the livin…

By taking part in this back-to-campus survey, you'll be entered to win a special gift from Lovely Undergrad!  Please provide your email at the end if you'd like to be entered.  The giveaway and winner will be announced in September.  Thanks bunches! xoxo

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This giveaway has closed.  Click here to see who won and stay tuned for future goody giveaways!

The winner of the rolled canvas giveaway from UPrinting.com is...

Laura!!  She said, "I would love a poster of a graphic design illustration I did of New York City!"

Congrats, Laura.  UPrinting.com will be in touch with further instructions!

For the rest of you... stay tuned for more giveaways!

Hey! Guess who was interviewed by Jesse Nabers for Just Flew the Coop today?!  Head over and check it out for my advice on everything from bad roommates to ugly dorms.  ;)
Stay tuned for coming posts and giveaway winners!

Shopping for dorm decor is just around the corner!  And wall art for your dorm or apartment is essential.  UPrinting has offered one lucky Lovely Undergrad reader the chance to win some personalized wall art.  Here are the details:
One Winner:  Must be 18 years or older and a US Resident.  (If you have won this same giveaway in the past 6 months, you are not eligible.)
The Prize:  One 16"x20" rolled canvas print, with or without a 2-inch border.  Winner gets to upload a design and UPrinting will print it onto the canvas.  1 business day turnaround, free shipping. 
Disclaimer:  This canvas printing giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting.  No monetary compensation was given for hosting. Check UPrinting.com for more details about canvas sizes.
Prize claims will be sent August 31st at the latest.
How to Enter:  Follow Lovely Undergrad.  Leave a comment with your name and email address.  And tell us what you would like printed on your canvas!
You have until July 24 at 11:59 pm.  Winner wi…

Happy Monday, lovely undergrads!  Today I have a special treat for you.  Design*Sponge, a hugely popular design blogs, was one of the original inspirations for me back when I was starting Lovely Undergrad.  Grace Bonney, the creator and blogger behind D*S, has worked as a contributor to House & Garden, Domino, and Craft Magazine.  This September, the Design*Sponge at Home book will be released--it is jam-packed with 70 home tours, 50 DIY projects, 50 before and after makeovers, and tips on everything from hanging wallpaper to arranging flowers.  
Grace Bonney was so gracious as to allow me to interview her for Lovely Undergrad.  So read on for insight into dorm and apartment decor from Design*Sponge...
LU: In your college years, did you ever live in the dorms?  If so, what was your dorm like?  How did you decorate it? D*S: Absolutely, and primarily while I was attending William & Mary, the school I transferred to after 2 years at NYU. I built an entire suite of furniture for…

Hey lovelies!  Melissa (on right) and I are to announce the winner of the fabulous resume design makeover giveaway!!   Congrats, Mademoiselle Michael!

Mademoiselle Michael, Melissa will be in touch with you!
Thanks again to the lovely Melissa of 20 Going on 80 for
offering her awesome design skills to Lovely Undergrad readers!  
(Psssst... check out her blog if you haven't already!)
Have a wonderful Friday and enjoy your weekends!
*Our winner was randomly selected by assigning each entry comment a number (both on the blog and Pinterest).  We used a random number generator to pick the winner! :)

I have such a small space treat for you today!  I came across this lovely studio apartment designed by Nick Olsen (former Domino contributer) for House Beautiful.  This place is 300 square feet, undergrads!  Just goes to show that a tiny space can pack a big punch when filled with color, pattern, and personality. 
I love that you look at this room and don't see an obvious color scheme.  It's perfect for us college students who take we can get from family and the Target clearance section, no?  ;)  Light airy curtains trimmed with a green ribbon edge are sooo pretty.  The red nightstands pop i the mostly pale blue and white room.  A desk at the foot of the bed is such a smart space saving solution. 
A chic slipcover transforms any old love-seat into a cozy sitting space.  (Although as much as I loooove metallic vases, I'd probably have my laptop and textbooks strewn all over that coffee table top.  Wouldn't you?) 
I. Want. This. Dresser.  The graphic green and white chev…

This giveaway has closed.  Click here to see who won and stay tuned for future goody giveaways!

Enticed?  You should be.  Melissa, my friend and fellow intern, is a Graphic Design major at Iowa State.  She’s offering one lucky Lovely Undergrad reader a free resume makeover.  And what lovely undergrad doesn’t want to hand over a chic, custom-designed resume at her next career fair?
So to try your luck at this fabulous giveaway, simply follow the instructions on Melissa's above flyer.  Leave a comment on this post with your name, email address and dream job by 11:59 pm July 14.  We will randomly select one winner on July 15. 
While you’re anxiously waiting for the winner to be announced, head over to Melissa’s blog 20 Going on 80.  :)
P.S. Want an extra entry?  Comment on our pin, too!

I have a confession to make, my friends.  I've been known to... well, on occasion... go to Lowes, stealthily approach the paint department, look left then right then left again... walk up to the magnificent array of vibrant paint chips... and then... guiltless help myself to one or two of every single paint chip.  Every. Single. One. And then I make a mad dash out the door with my half-foot thick pile of paint chips in hand.

OH, THE SHAME!

I can't help it.  I love paint chips.  I've been obsessed with them since I was seven or eight.  And for a few years, my dream job was to become the person who gets to pick the paint names.  (That didn't make an impressive "When I grow up, I want to be..." report for elementary school, though.)

I used to just have paint chips for the sake of having them.  I kept them in a tin box and pulled them out every once in a while to flip through them in satisfaction.  Sometimes I'd go all crazy and use one as a bookmark.  Maybe…

Here's a round up of diy projects that put paint chips on display! 



Now go hit up Lowe's!! :P