Well hello everyone! I'm so excited about today's post! Now that the sunshine is here to stay (it's been in the high 80's all week) it's officially balcony season. I moved into my apartment at the end of last summer in August so this is going to be my first full season with outdoor space and I'm so pumped about it!

If you've followed any of my home decor posts in the past you probably know that I LOVE color -- bright, fabulous, bold colors! I'm also a big fan of patterns and definitely not afraid to layer. So it probably won't surprise you when I tell you that my goal for my outdoor decor was to have one of the brightest balconies in the city. And while I haven't seen every patio and balcony in the city, I'm going to go on a limb and say I think I nailed the color part ;-)

Something I had been looking forward to all winter was the second the weather turned for the better so I could pick out new flowers for my planters. So as soon as it warmed up I headed to the farmer's market as fast as I could!

I've always loved Gerbera Daisies so I decided they were a great choice for my planters! I've never had much of a green thumb but I also decided to give my go at a little garden this year too. I picked up romaine lettuce, strawberries, basil, mint, a mini tomato plant, and some lilac! 

I had to plant things a little closer because I was tight on space but I got a really great deal on plants so I decided it wasn't too bad of a spend if I ended up killing everything. I mean I've killed succulents before.. so I wasn't setting the bar too high.

Without further ado, onto the decor! I switched things up a little this year to make the space a little more functional for the way I like to use it.  

That included buying a couple of lounge chairs to make the space a little more comfy! I love coming home and just relaxing outside and these chairs are perfect for that. Plus I can easily fold them up and slide them aside when I want a little more open space.

Right now I have 3 distinct little areas. My lounge chairs, my bench and then my table. Also not pictured are my BBQ and fire pit in the far left corner.

Here's both chairs in action when Chris is out on the balcony with me! Good news too! My plants are killing it!

And guess what! My first strawberries came in and I cut some of my lettuce and have used it for a couple of dinners! Just call me urban farmer Anna ;-)

I can't wait for many more nights out here this summer! Hope you guys enjoyed my space!

I have to admit, when I found out C. Wonder was biting the dust I was really sad! It’s probably not healthy to have attachment issues with a store, but I really did love it. The colors.. patterns.. aw! It was one of those places that just made you happy walking into! Plus it was totally my go-to for gifts (when on sale of course).

Thanks to my always-on-it coworkers, we found out that on top of the store-closing deals the stores were also selling all of their props. At that point I wasn’t even sure what things would be on sale, but being that the decor was always on par with my eye for cuteness I knew I wanted in!

As soon as we walked in my eyes were set on these fabulous colorful prop suitcases. I didn’t really have any idea what I was going to do with them, but I knew I’d figure something out!

Living small on space, every thing in my apartment really needs to double with some sort of purpose (or just really be too cute not to have). I had a couple fun first ideas, but it turned out they might have to wait for a time when my apartment is a little bitter than 370 sq ft. For now, I decided to split up the two sizes I bought and go with the stacking side table options for now. 

Another thing I really love about these suitcases too is they are indeed functional, so if I need some more storage space for my ever-growing sundress collection I have 5 suitcases waiting to be filled! 

A little piece of C. Wonder will continue to live on in the Osgoodby casa!

Voting ends today for Apartment Therapy’s Room for Color contest! If you haven’t voted already, take a minute (it’s super short I promise) and vote for my "Bold and Gold" apartment! 

Can’t thank you guys enough for all of the support you’ve shown me! :)

Vote here —> http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/annas-bold-gold-room-210781