After four years of dating, my boyfriend and I are taking the plunge…and moving in together. With a new job on the horizon, the timing is right, and while I’m excited about this big step, I’m even more delighted by the idea of redecorating. While we’ve yet to settle on an apartment that works for both of us (and our commutes), that hasn’t stopped me from “playing house” and imagining what our rooms will look like. My current obsession, as mentioned before, are rumpled-let-structured duvets, like this one from West Elm. It’s neutral enough to suit my man’s taste, but darling enough to appease my girly side.

{Organic Cotton Pin-Tuck Duvet, West Elm, $15.00-$119.00}

There’s only one thing I love more than the beach itself – a giant, plush beach blanket to loll around on all day. Having never been a fan of narrow towels, I rejoiced last year when I came across Target’s own brand of oversized, 6′x6′ blankets, marked down to $4 at the time. I bought the last two in August 2009, and have been on the hunt for them again ever since. This year they’re back (hurrah!), and despite being full price, I stocked up on two to keep me and my beach bum friends comfy for as long as they last (which by Target’s high standards, seems to be forever).

Update: I hunted and hunted for a link on Target’s website, but it isn’t up yet. Check your local store for now, and keep coming back here for when the website is stocked, too.

Obsessed as I am with making my bed each morning, and ensuring my home is neat and tidy every night before bed, I can’t help but want to loosen up a little bit on particularly rushed days, and dozy nights. My boyfriend, with whom I’ve been with for over four years now, can’t seem to understand my need for clean. And while I’ve fought this since we first met, I’ve accepted our yin and yang ways quite happily now.

But that doesn’t mean I will ever lose my Type-A ways. I’ve just found ways around them. Take, for example, my bed. My current comforter has been in need of an upgrade for quite some time now, so I set out to find something polished and simple, but something that wouldn’t look awful when left unmade. A rosette comforter was the perfect choice, with its pleats and gathered fabric that (almost) looks better rumpled.

I took inspiration from this Anthropologie quilt that looked beautiful, but was far from my budget of $100. After trolling websites and stores, I finally found the perfect, budget-friendly alternative at Target for only $69.99, which meant I had room left over to change up my curtains, too.

What do you think of the transformation?

Before: A little too formal for such a comfy bed.

After: Much less buttoned-up, for maximum sweet dreams.

Nothing says spring quite like a bunch of cheery flowers. So with our ground still covered in snow, and warm weather still a few months away, I’ve taken the fairest season into my own hands with these lovely bunches of daffodils. They’ve brightened up both my home and my cloudy mood for just $10.