The Blog
Ain’t Too Proud to Dumpster Dive: The One with the Bench and the Dog Walk Rescue
Some people walk their dog and come home with sticks. I walk mine and come home with furniture.
Welcome to another riveting installment of “Ain’t Too Proud to Dumpster Dive”—a series where I risk tetanus and mild judgment from neighbors in the name of fabulous design.
Let me set the scene: I was out walking my dog, minding my business, when out of the corner of my eye I spotted her. A long, lonely, tufted bench just sitting on the side of the road. Abandoned. Beige. Slightly dusty. But solid. You know how some people see trash? I see potential with a side of upholstery staples.
A Trip to Ponce City Market in Atlanta, GA
Today I’m taking you on a tour of a place that feels like your coolest friend: full of surprises, effortlessly stylish, and layered with charisma. Let’s wander through Ponce City Market, nestled in the heart of Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward, where history meets modern life. It’s also called PCM if you’re a local.
55 Things Giving Me Life Right Now – Cobalt is the Color of the Summer Season
Cobalt is definitely having a moment this Summer. But let’s be totally clear. This is not your shy, maybe-I’ll-be-an-accent kind of hue. This is an electrified blue full of power, depth, and pure unapologetic joy.
Before we slather it on every surface in sight, let’s show some respect. Cobalt blue has been around since the 8th century, when Chinese artisans used it in porcelain. The pigment itself, made from cobalt salts, was expensive and rare—basically the Birkin bag of blue. Fast-forward to the 19th century, when painters like J.M.W. Turner and Vincent van Gogh got their hands on it and never looked back. (That sky in Starry Night? Yep. Cobalt.)
29 Hot Summer Nails You Have To Try
If there’s one thing summer brings besides sweat and SPF, it’s a license to go full-on extra with your nail game. This is not the season for subtle. It’s the season for color, fun, and tiny pieces of art at your fingertips—literally. Whether you’re heading to a beach, brunching in the backyard, or just want your iced coffee selfies to pop, your nails need to be part of the conversation. And this year? Oh, summer 2025 is not playing around.
The Best Places in Atlanta to See Fireworks on July 4th
I remember as a child going to see the July 4th fireworks with our blankets and eating hot dogs and salt water taffy. I’m from New England, Connecticut to be exact, and I always associate salt water taffy with July 4th. I don’t think I’ve ever missed a fireworks celebration. There’s something about the colors and lights that’s just mesmerizing.
There’s always something to do in Atlanta on July 4th and I’ve compiled a list of a few things in the metropolitan area. If you don’t feel like barbecuing and want to get out of your backyard, here’s what you can do.
How to Make a Music Space in Your Home – In Honor of Black Music Month
Let’s talk about music — the universal language, the soul of a house party, and the reason your auntie still has a two-step ready at all times. June is Black Music Month, a time to celebrate the profound impact of Black artists, genres, and rhythms that have shaped the soundtrack of our lives. From gospel to jazz, soul to hip-hop, R&B to reggae, Black music has always been about joy, resistance, expression, and connection.
25 Things That Are Giving Me Life in the Outdoors Right Now
If you’ve been here for a while, you know that when I say something is “giving me life,” I don’t mean it’s just nice. I mean it’s making my eyeballs dance, my designer heart race, and my inner HGTV host scream “YASSS.” These are the things that would transform my outdoor space from “meh” to “magazine-worthy.” And if you’re not obsessing over your outdoor areas as much as your interiors, sweetie… you’re missing half the fun.
Ain’t Too Proud to Dumpster Dive – The Great Chair Makeover
You know that saying, “One man’s trash is another woman’s throne”? Well, it should be—because that’s exactly what I found curbside one fine morning: a sad, rickety chair, dumped among the rejects of furniture past. Most people saw junk. I saw potential (and a spray paint opportunity too good to pass up).
The Ferris Street Project and Why Home Staging is Important
What Is Home Staging and Why It Works (a.k.a. Why Your Aunt Karen’s Doilies Need to Go). Let’s start with the basics: Home staging is the art (yes, art) of preparing your home to appeal to the widest pool of potential buyers. Think of it like dressing your house up for its big debut. You wouldn’t show up to a job interview in your pajama pants, right? (Well, not unless you really didn’t want the job.) Same goes for your home.
The Best Antique Fairs and Markets in the U.S. – Part 2
Here is the promised Part 2 of the best Antique Fairs and Markets in the U.S. and here is the Part 1 if you missed it. I love a good antique, thrift, vintage or flea market and by any other name it’s still a treasure trove of goodies for all.The history behind everything is what gets me. It reminds me of being a child and following my parents around to thrift on the weekends. I also love a good yard sale too and have thrown many yard sales myself.
Stay Connected!
Stay connected and up-to-date with the latest posts, projects and home diy tips. Get all the latest news, insights and inspiration straight to your inbox. Sign up here!
Leslie Karen is a blog dedicated to women who are forever curious, passionate and don’t believe in limits. I love DIY’ing and trying to figure out how to do things, traveling, designing interiors, finding good restaurants, fashion and reading. Basically just about anything creative and artistic.
Stay Connected!
© 2023 Leslie Karen. All rights reserved.