Two things a woman can never be.

After a few happenings last week and my never ending pursuit to decide what to wear, it seemed perfectly appropriate to share this as this week's words to live by.

In reference to being overdressed, of course there are extreme circumstances; like wearing full on bling to the beach or a ball gown to your little cousins backyard BBQ. But I'd like to interpret this half of the quote as being confident with your personal style. The type of confidence that makes people say "oh, she can pull that off"-- no matter what the garment or venue may be. So from now on I am going to make a valiant effort to not concern myself with what everyone else is wearing. And to focus on dressing in what makes me feel comfortably-sexy, thus confident with my appearance.

But over-educated? Don't even get me started. To me that is a cop-out for those who are intimidated. From a business perspective it's simply an oxymoron. What company doesn't want to hire those who are wildly smart and experienced? Sadly, you'd be surprised at the number of companies who by-pass candidates for this very reason. I'm going on record to say if you use the "over-qualified/over-educated card" it means at least one of two things: I don't want to hire someone smarter than me or I can't pay anywhere near what you are worth. Only exception here is if you make it apparent your salary expectations or that you would be bored with what the job entails [in which case you should withdraw your application]. And in a social setting, smart is equally as enticing. Everyone should be able to hold a conversation with substance on a particularly complex subject. If you can can voice your opinion and have conviction on the matter, all the better. 

Moral of the story? Wear your clothes, don't let them wear you. Slip on your favorite pair of shoes, march your butt into that party/interview/new bar, and don't you dare shy away from an opportunity to enlighten others with your smarts.

Deelightful Digs: Wallpaper

Wallpaper has an undeserving bad reputation, which can most likely be attributed to its tedious hanging and dreaded removal. The mere mention of the word makes plenty cringe as images of out-dated fruit motifs or tacky florals fill their heads. Meanwhile others, like me, lust for rooms covered in a bold hue, an eclectic print, or luxe textures.

Truthfully, wallpaper has made leaps and bounds since the days in which I grew up with country-bumpkin geese flocking my mother's walls [sorry Mom, thank goodness your taste has changed]. But as a renter, a splash of paint is the furthest I can push my wall-art boundaries which has left me ohhh-ing and ahhh-ing over images of beautifully designed spaces. Check out some of my favorites bursting with personality and wallpapered pizazz: 

Images courtesy of: Hygge & West // Brandon Barre // Saddie + Stella //Niche Interiors // The Wallpaper Collective // House Beautiful

If you decide to take the plunge, consider these few tips:

• Choose a palette. Build your space around a set of 3-5 colors. Don't be afraid to create a palette of both contrasting and complimentary colors. Or go the opposite route and create drama through a monochromatic color scheme.
• Layer, layer, layer. Add dimension to room through a mix of furniture and accessories. If your wallpaper is bold, anchor it with neutral or matching furniture. Think structured couches, a set of matching chairs, or a solid area rug. Once your walls are covered, don't be afraid to hang art such as a well-curated frame gallery or a glossy animal head.
• Choose an accent wall. Perfect for those on a budget or just want to bring an unexpected punch to their space. Likewise, using wallpaper on the ceiling brings an unexpected dimension to a room.
• Go big or go home. Unlike an accent wall, covering every wall including the ceiling works best in small, cozy spaces like a powder room or entryway. And for the brave, mix in well coordinated patterns- stripes and florals, anyone?
• It will only look as good as the quality of installation.  If you can't hire a professional, I recommend reading this post from the DIY Network: How to Apply Wallpaper. 
• Get more than you really need.  Even if you use a wallpaper calculator, always invest in an extra roll. You never know when you'll need more and you can always use the extra in a mix of decorative ways.

So if you are a renter like me, try these crafty wallpaper alternatives to help transform your space. Apartment Therapy also just featured an article on Smart Ways to Use Wallpaper in Small Doses for those who are on a budget or just too timid to go all the way. 

• Decals. Urban Outfitters has a fun assortment if you are looking to add temporary graphics to your walls.
• Hand-painted murals. Ok, this is NOT renter friendly. But when I saw my friend Emily free-hand paint her closet [with an ikat pattern no less!], I instantly fell in love and had to share.
• Tapestries. I'm not talking about the hippie tie-dyed things you see in college dorms. I mean beautiful, exotic fabrics. Or how about a roll-up map? You know, like the one your 4th grade teacher had hanging in front of the chalkboard and would pull down for a quick geography lesson. 
• Washi Tape. To satisfy my wallpaper craving, I created horizontal stripes on one of my bathroom walls using metallic washi tape. It took only one roll and nearly 15 minutes. Best of all, it comes right off and won't leave a mark when I leave. Until I buy a house, I imagine much more washi tape in my future. 

My bathroom

Do you have any other DIY wallpaper alternatives? Feel free to share images of your favorite covered walls! 

10 Gender Neutral Valentine's Day Gifts.

I cannot believe it is February 1st already.

Chances are you've been bombarded with email blasts featuring "discounted" flower deliveries and are growing accustom to the pink and red-lined shelves that have been at your local retailers since the day after Christmas. It's fair to say Valentine's Day is a love/hate holiday, literally. I believe most people's feelings can be generalized into one of four categories:

1. Those who got shot in the ass by Cupid. Can be overheard screeching about the gifts they are sure to receive, the totally romantic plans they have, and how excited they are to bask in the glory of their love.
2. Um, it's called Singles Awareness Day. Renaming the holiday helps those who are not coupled-up feel better, or at the very least, included. Don't be shocked if they wear all black and are extremely hungover on February 15th.
3. It's a bit cliche` but a good excuse to do something special. Hallmark holiday or not, they are willing to shell out a few bucks or spend quality time making sure their loved ones know they care. Even if it's done with an internal eye roll.
4. Wait, tomorrow is Valentine's Day? There is no doubt in my mind that this is the exact reason cheesy stuffed animals and sloppy arts & crafts projects exist. Luckily for these procrastinators, most recipients default to an "aww that is SO sweet" mentality.

I've always been a #2 or #3 and don't get me wrong, I've had some pretty creative and amazing gifts from past valentine's. But no matter how hard I try, it's a holiday that I will never gleefully look forward to. So to make it easier for others who feel the same way, here are 10 gender-neutral gifts that I feel personally fitting to commemorate the holiday.

Spoiler alert to my boyfriend: Act surprised if you get one of these.

1. Love Letter in a Bottle. Who doesn't want a HAND WRITTEN, heart felt note these days? Plus you can get super creative and DIY. Or you can spring for this irresistible little test tube.
$16, from Terrain 

2. Their Personal Domain Name. If your special someone doesn't have their own domain name registered, get it for them asap. It's an important part of everyone's personal brand and heaven-forbid you share a name with an X-rated star sometime down the road.
$3.95+, from Register.com 

2. Kissing Guorami Fish. It goes without saying that this is more of a long term gift so buy with caution. I think it's a cheeky way to get the message across to your loved one. Bonus points if you name them Jack and Rose and include a sunken ship. Although I prefer Axil and Eigil as a tribute to the world's first "registered gay couple", especially since the "kissing" is really a dominance act between males.
$2.95, from Petco

4. A Musical Valentine. Perfect for your beau or a friend, creating a personalized playlist or pre-made CD is a simple and meaningful DIY. Choose an eclectic mix of songs that have a special meaning to you and the recipient. And be sure to wrap it in a well-designed sleeve, like the one shown here on Design Mom or a tutorial found on Pinterest.
Download your music from iTunes 

5. Personalized Map Print. Whether you want to commemorate your hometown(s), long-distance love, or travel destinations, this map print is totally customizable and adds a meaningful pop of color to the art on your walls. Personally, I would leave it blank and invest in some fun stickers to keep it up to date.
$17, from CirclePrints on Etsy 

6. Gorilla Gram. How can you not find this absolutely hysterical? Anyone with a sense of humor would appreciate a costumed gorilla barging into their place of employment to deliver a special V-day routine. Unless you work at a daycare and it just so happens to be nap time.
Check this out if you live in the Rochester, NY area.

7. Philanthropic Shoes. So I kind of cheated. But with styles for both Men and Women, you can't go wrong giving a pair. And with TOMS One for One program, every pair you buy another pair is donated to a child in need so really it's like having two valentines. 
$54, Petal Grosgrain Women's
$79, Light Gray Chambray Men's

8. Sweets with a twist. My absolute favorite sweet of any kind would be chocolate covered strawberries. I saw this and instantly fell in love. Pair it with a bottle of prosecco or red wine for an instant party for one, two, or more (depending on how you roll).
Strawberry Brownie Pizza recipe via I am Mommy

9. Cooking Classes. Spending quality time together and learning how to prepare new recipes (from trained professionals) is a blast. Plus if you book something on the day of you'll feel less pressure to make additional plans. Check your local restaurants or universities to find a class that is right for you. I recommend the New York Wine & Culinary Center if you are in the Upstate NY area.

10. Charmingly, Witty Card. You can't go wrong with a simple, humorous greeting card.
$4.50, Head over Heels by Tom Foolery
$3.35, Biggest Fan by do-de-line on Cargoh
$3.00, More than Cheese, OhGeezDesign on Etsy