Back on the block

10 03 2010

Now that the wedding is over and the weather has been the best of early spring, I have a renewed vigor when it comes to working on the many projects around the house.

On Monday James and I rearranged the furniture in the living room and cleaned out a lot of the winter dirt and snow. We changed the orientation in the room because we had the tv against a wall where the blocked fireplace is hiding. On the off chance we get around to opening up our fireplace, I wanted the room to be ready.  There’s also the chance of us buying a bit more furniture for the living room. This set up makes the room seem much bigger and would accommodate a new media console and coffee table well. I hope that we are able to purchase them soon!

In not surprising news, I’ve been painting more. The light coming in the windows helps immensely! I’m working in the master bedroom again, painting and cleaning up the mess that happened when we started working on the closet. The closet itself is not finished yet. I’d like to put shoe cubbies on the back wall to try and get rid of the mountains of shoes around the house.  The paint is beautiful, the Blue Agave color from the Ralph Lauren Suede line, but it is definitely a paint that needs at least two coats, if not more.

That’s really all we’re doing around here right now.  I’m still catching up on sleep from last week!

Picture of a cozy living room from House to Home





I’m back

7 03 2010

Hello blogland – I am back from my honeymoon.

I’ve watched my husband chase feral chickens on the beach and I’ve gone into a cave with a cat. I’ve seen turquoise water and huge snow drifts on mountains in the same 24 hour period. My friends came from far and wide and from all points in my life to celebrate and it was really one of the most amazing events of my life, not just because James and I were married, but because it was filled with such happiness from everyone who came and witnessed it.

You all rock.

I like to say that any day where I get to see my mom is a good day, since we live so far away from each other and it’s so rare that I get to start my day out by seeing my mom. I had some great days because I got to see my mom, sister, brother, sister-in-law, nephew, nieces, best friends from high school and college, old roommates, and coworkers.

I’ve got no picture for this post, just my unending gratitude at being home after the most amazing journey I’ve been on in my life so far. I appreciate everyone that couldn’t come and sent well-wishes and love our way, especially unseen blog friends that I’ve never met.

Most of all I’m glad to be right where I belong next to my best friend and husband.





The Hungry Luddite

22 02 2010

Here’s another Diary of a Foodie that I enjoyed. I loved that this episode featured artisans that still create and make tools the same way they were made centuries ago to preserve the craft. If there ever was a perfect knife, it’s the ones featured in this show.  This show embodies why I love the food world so much, there’s so much that goes into a good meal starting with the tools used and the varieties of food.





Happy Friday!

19 02 2010

I only have a few things other than wishing you a Happy Friday.  Am I the only one dreaming of spring?  This picture is from Sunset Magazine via myhomeideas.com and it’s got me longing for warmer weather.

There’s a really yummy looking recipe on Lime in the Coconut for Lime in the Coconut bars.  It looks so good, I wish I had time to make it.

We haven’t been doing much in the way of home updates this week.  However, in a few weeks we will be able to recommence working on the bathroom downstairs that has been a pain since we had plumbing troubles that ruined the bathroom floor.  We haven’t been able to use that bathroom since October, so it will be nice to have it back.

Have a good weekend!





Hi

12 02 2010

I’m sorry I am not posting more but my wedding is in 15 days. Every time I look at the calendar I say “Holy Crap” (or something more profane) and think of all that I still have to do for said wedding. Until I get back from my honeymoon things might be a bit sparse around here.

What’s that?  You wanted to see some random stuff related to my wedding, well of course I can post some!

Dress number 2

Boilermaker Jazz Band





Studying Anthropologie

10 02 2010

Usually I admire a great number of cute things from Anthropologie without thinking that they would work in my house. Today on their website I spotted some new, tropical decor inspired pieces that really make me want to take them home and I thought I’d share.

I like this shelving unit – it’s utilitarian with an unexpected tropical look.

These rope is traditionally coastal and these coiled rope knobs add a touch of the ocean without being overwhelming.  I think these would look great on an old piece of furniture to give it a new feel.





Freestanding tubs

8 02 2010

My upstairs bath has a freestanding tub and browsing through Livingetc.com I found these pictures of inspiring and fun freestanding tubs. Some are just a bit too much for my bathroom but they are fun to look at and consider the possibilities. Luckily our tub hasn’t been painted, and I prefer it white but if it weren’t, I wouldn’t hesitate to use a fun shade of paint on it.  Some of the rooms in the Living Etc gallery look like living rooms with bathtubs planted in them.  I can’t imagine having a bathroom that enormous that it requires recliners and other furniture – imagine the scale of the rest of the house!





Blue Room

5 02 2010

I’m really loving this color blue right now. There is much more blue paint in my house than I had originally planned, but it just feels right being this near the ocean. This picture is from the now defunct Cottage Living Magazine via myhomeideas.com.  I’m in love with the table and the chairs that are a similar color blue to the walls, but not quite as vivid.  It works so well in my mind and it isn’t a cold blue, it looks pretty inviting.

This is a pretty busy month for me and we are going on holiday at the end of it so posting may get a bit sporadic.





Productivity

3 02 2010

I found this clip interesting. It was posted on mommalou and she’s having trouble with an administrator at her child’s school that wants to make recess a structured learning time as opposed to a chance for a break for kids. It lead her to think about the fact that we are a society that allows for very few breaks in the name of productivity. This talk by Stefan Sagmeister shows how he uses sabbaticals from his business to enhance his ultimate productivity. It’s an interesting talk – Enjoy!





Looklet

1 02 2010

I did a few more looklets the other day and I’ll post some of them to the blog eventually. I really adore this model’s hair and the whole look when combined with the dress and boots. It’s one of my favorite looklets so far.   The outfit is a little over the top, but I had in mind an edgy magazine editorial when I designed it.  The background is fitting considering it’s still very much winter for me and it’s getting colder!