I know that contentment is the path to enlightenment, but CL is just so tempting!

Hi there. I've recently had some downtime at work and have been trolling CL for home items to buy. I'm steering clear of the Personals and Casual Encounters sections, thankyouverymuch. I've been coffee table-less for almost 8 months now and, though I love an open space, would very much like to avoid getting weird leg cramps and likely blood clots from sitting, for lack of a better term, "Indian style" (cue the crying Native American on the 80's don't litter TV campaign) on my couch all this time. Plus, it seems that Banjo has (fingers crossed) outgrown her desire to chew anything and everything in sight, so I'm hoping I can bust out some artsy coffee table books and maybe present some lovely flowers atop my future table. I'm looking to spend around $100 and, per my friend, Tim's recommendation, have been using search terms such as "Danish" "Mid-Century" and "Scandinavian." These are probably the same terms I'd use if I was searching the Personals (ha). Here are some CL and online finds that I am thinking seriously about (or coveting and including in the list of things for the home that I'd like to amass). Comments welcomed. And even though CL gets a bad rap, I effectively sold many of my worldly possessions on CL when leaving Boston. In fact, I sold enough shit to fund my entire move. That was cool.

Danish Teak Coffee Table from CL; Charley Harper Dallas Exhibit Print; Polly Chair in Aegean from Target (http://www.target.com/)

Lately I've been devoting a bit more attention to my apartment. Though I know I likely won't renew my lease and I abhor carpet, I do love the view, the people, and the overall convenience. But I miss the feeling of hardwood underfoot, the ability to open my windows and be tree level, and the eccentric touches of an older place. Given the aforementioned selling of most of my furniture, I'm now looking to replenish my collection with more 'grown up' items I can have for awhile. When I first moved to Boston, my mom and I went to CheapChic, a junk store around the corner from my old place, and dropped $400 on a dresser (art deco, but in desperate need of refinishing), chair (Harvard library chair - I still have it and cannot bear to part with it), couch (Victorian, blue velvet, baby), and other sundry items. The only thing we bought new was a bed (thank you, Mom) and a bed frame. I still have that bed and bed frame, but the rest of the items are gone, sold to happy, random people from CL during my last days in Boston. So, when Haley and I drove the Penske to Chicago, there was barely anything in the back - certainly not enough to merit a 12 foot truck, let alone the 16 foot truck we ended up with. In effort to brighten up my place (and, of course, give Banjo more places to lay and shed on), I purchased some Marimekko pillow covers from Etsy.com (love that site) and now they adorn my IKEA leather sofa (see below). I'll take a picture of the look and post it later, but the result is a nice mix of spare, Swedish modern with pops of pleasant, flowery color. There are also some vibrant pink and green pillow covers, but I can't find a pic of them, so these will have to suffice.

(Despite the hellish ordering and month-long wait, I highly recommend the IKEA Stockholm Collection stuff. It's pricier, but feels sturdy, not college student-y; Marimekko 'Brasilia' Pattern in Blue and Green (not pictured); Marimekko 'Iso Krassi' Pattern (discontinued) from Crate and Barrel **This one is Banjo's favorite to rest on...)

I want to get a sewing machine so I can freshen up on my sewing and start making my own pillow covers, dresses, and neckerchiefs for the pup. If anyone has a recommendation for a good, cheap beginner machine, please let me know. There are tons on CL, but I want to make sure I get a decently durable one. And if anyone has recommendations for bitchin' fabric stores, I am all ears. I saw some discounted Lotta Jansdotter fabric awhile back and didn't buy it. Now I'm kicking my own ass because it would've made for a cool shirt dress or, at the very least, dish towels. I'll post more home pics later and will keep you posted on my CL odysseys.