tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86904617613550609792024-03-12T17:38:01.809-07:00Our Big Yellow HouseDaniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-72597952141137957162010-02-17T07:34:00.001-08:002010-02-17T10:17:33.102-08:00On Happy Accidents and Power ToolsWell, I finally got some window treatments up in the Master Bedroom. And it only took three years.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S3wU49DjVaI/AAAAAAAAAhg/e7Tgt2bwd7E/s1600-h/drapes2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S3wU49DjVaI/AAAAAAAAAhg/e7Tgt2bwd7E/s400/drapes2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439245418651407778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S3wUzGiBnzI/AAAAAAAAAhY/1dU4GqKBaM0/s1600-h/drapes1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S3wUzGiBnzI/AAAAAAAAAhY/1dU4GqKBaM0/s400/drapes1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439245318115925810" border="0" /></a><br />Mike <span style="font-style: italic;">loves</span> it when I call him at work to ask where the drill is. Actually, I did okay - no errant holes (in the wall OR in my skin).<br /><br />I'd been meaning to hang drapes in the MB for a while, especially after seeing the dramatic difference drapes made in some of our other rooms. I wasted a lot of time drooling over several panels from Pottery Barn and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Anthropologie</span>, but in the end, I just couldn't justify the prices. Which, unfortunately, ran from $99 to $248 per panel. Times six. Ouch.<br /><br />The Ella Drape from Pottery Barn $99/panel (96")<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S3wWeQuAIOI/AAAAAAAAAho/yz-CzRXRyAc/s1600-h/EllaDrape.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 344px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S3wWeQuAIOI/AAAAAAAAAho/yz-CzRXRyAc/s400/EllaDrape.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439247159096516834" border="0" /></a><br />The Audrey Drape from Pottery Barn $99/panel (96")<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S3wXVg9UBVI/AAAAAAAAAhw/hFy2nONHSAE/s1600-h/AudreyDrape.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 344px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S3wXVg9UBVI/AAAAAAAAAhw/hFy2nONHSAE/s400/AudreyDrape.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439248108348507474" border="0" /></a><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Adorations</span> Drape from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Anthropologie</span> $178/panel (96")<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S3wXeWc5xEI/AAAAAAAAAh4/PVHUWa2d2gs/s1600-h/AdorationsDrape.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S3wXeWc5xEI/AAAAAAAAAh4/PVHUWa2d2gs/s400/AdorationsDrape.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439248260147037250" border="0" /></a><br />The Avignon Drape from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Anthropologie</span> $248(!)/panel (96")<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S3wXnt_JneI/AAAAAAAAAiA/ckKPDJEw6co/s1600-h/AvignonDrape.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S3wXnt_JneI/AAAAAAAAAiA/ckKPDJEw6co/s400/AvignonDrape.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439248421083520482" border="0" /></a><br />Had I been absolutely, positively <span style="font-style: italic;">sure</span> that the MB would remain the same for a while, I maybe, <span style="font-style: italic;">maybe</span> would've saved up and taken the plunge with the expensive drapes. BUT I'm not sure about that the room WILL stay the same, for a few reasons. For one, I'm not crazy about our headboard and would like to get a new bed sometime soon, if the budget allows. Also, I've had second thoughts about the paint color, which I do love, but Mike does not. So, rather than buy some crazy-expensive drapes that were going to look nice in THIS bedroom, I figured I'd play it safe for now and buy some cheaper, neutral drapes that would look nice in almost ANY bedroom.<br /><br />So, my sister and I headed out to Target. Although I have three windows in the MB, I initially tried to get away with using only 4 panels, in another attempt at keeping costs down. I thought I could maybe hang just one drape in the areas between two windows...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S3wxRH7Y_8I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/WeHoPow8QwA/s1600-h/curtains1.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S3wxRH7Y_8I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/WeHoPow8QwA/s400/curtains1.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439276620212404162" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Soooo</span>, after digging through a VERY picked over window treatment selection (almost the entire aisle was on clearance - which was good <span style="font-style: italic;">and </span>bad), I really didn't see anything that jumped out at me. I settled on a Thomas O'Brien herringbone drape that looked like it had promise. The color on the package said "White," but these drapes are most definitely NOT white. They're more of a cream or ivory color. I told my sis that I had a feeling I was gonna get the drapes home and either <span style="font-style: italic;">hate</span> them, or end up loving them and this would be one more happy accident to add to the list. Luckily, I snagged the last four 95" drapes. No small feat considering the state of the drapery aisle. As an added bonus, the panels had been marked down from $34.99 to $24.99. I also picked up three black curtain rods on clearance for $9.99.<br /><br />I went home with my panels and curtain rods and got to work. An hour later I was staring at some surprisingly nice drapes in a room that looked liked <span style="font-style: italic;">someone</span> had cut some serious corners by trying to use four panels where there<span style="font-style: italic;"> definitely </span>should have been six. It seemed I had underestimated the angle of the bends in the wall and there was no way the four panel plan was gonna work, short of me buying an expensive rod system.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S3whhoVlCTI/AAAAAAAAAiI/5Pd8SOwDHpE/s1600-h/curtains.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S3whhoVlCTI/AAAAAAAAAiI/5Pd8SOwDHpE/s400/curtains.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439259311604042034" border="0" /></a><br />I already knew I'd gotten the last four panels in my local Target, but a quick <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Internet</span> search showed that they were available online and in a Target store a few towns over. The very next day, my wonderful mother stopped in to said Target on her way home from work and picked them up for me!<br /><br />And now that I have all six panels hung up and looking pretty, I am officially declaring this one a happy accident.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">P.S. Happy Birthday Dana!</span>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-52915514225822657772010-02-01T07:43:00.000-08:002010-02-01T15:01:05.473-08:00A Funny Thing Happened...Sometimes, when Mike works overnight, dangerous things can happen. It all started innocently enough. My lack of spouse accounted for me sitting up til all hours, listening for strange sounds that only existed in my head (ah, the life of a firefighters wife) and watching chick flicks to pass the time. And that's when it happened - while absentmindedly flipping through channels, I came upon one of my all time favorite movie house movies. <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Spanglish.</span></span> <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433411320381331842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2dazvXqWYI/AAAAAAAAAgY/waUTRKsYrZE/s400/spanglish1.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433411487329389954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2da9dTLjYI/AAAAAAAAAgg/ROhYx7n-XCc/s400/spanglish2.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433411746634310034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2dbMjSSoZI/AAAAAAAAAgw/-J24kxP6YlY/s400/spanglish4.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433411613519881858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2dbEzZVpoI/AAAAAAAAAgo/fz_Aq8tbapI/s400/spanglish3.jpg" border="0" /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433411834632743042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2dbRrGwKII/AAAAAAAAAg4/CMQCuS03mD8/s400/spanglish5.jpg" border="0" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2dL6YRDegI/AAAAAAAAAfw/xXltPMHVxdk/s1600-h/spanglish2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433394941764270594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2dL6YRDegI/AAAAAAAAAfw/xXltPMHVxdk/s400/spanglish2.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2dL_NPQNnI/AAAAAAAAAf4/mqCcVWI8aW0/s1600-h/Spanglish3.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2dMD0aW9fI/AAAAAAAAAgA/fPOSoJMzJH4/s1600-h/Spanglish4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433395103938311666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2dMD0aW9fI/AAAAAAAAAgA/fPOSoJMzJH4/s400/Spanglish4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It is not easy to find interior shots of the house in this movie. You'll just have to watch it for yourself! There are actually <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">two</span> houses: the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Clasky</span></span> family home and the Malibu vacation home they rent for the summer. I, however, am exclusively obsessed with the family home. The home itself can't be easily put into words. It's beautiful, of course. Just the right amounts of classic and well-loved. The house is full of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">knick</span></span>-knacks, accessories, pillows, you name it. Some of you might think it just looks cluttered, but I love it. It is very apparent that a family lives here. And yet, it's classy and elegant all the same. They have a freakin' foosball table in the middle of the family room and yet somehow, inexplicably, it's still beautiful.<br /><br />My favorite room in the house is the master bedroom. It's a blur of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">florals</span></span> and stripes and colors and yet it all comes together. I want to hibernate in this room all winter. That being said, even at 1:00 A.M., while listening for signs of a break-in that would never happen, I realized that the closest I was gonna get to a room like this was re-creating it as best I could in my own, <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">much smaller</span>, bedroom. And so, after several days of Spanglish-induced shopping, I've come to one absolute conclusion: I CANNOT STOP BUYING PILLOWS AND BLANKETS. </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433412016306426946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2dbcP5IlEI/AAAAAAAAAhI/oahhczsy_Ok/s400/spanglish7.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433411933569551858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2dbXbrIDfI/AAAAAAAAAhA/NqA_ItxZToo/s400/spanglish6.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2dMHl7CgOI/AAAAAAAAAgI/bIXSFNPRD2M/s1600-h/spanglish5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433395168768327906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 264px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2dMHl7CgOI/AAAAAAAAAgI/bIXSFNPRD2M/s400/spanglish5.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2dL2hr7DzI/AAAAAAAAAfo/cioBbyRgBf4/s1600-h/spanglish1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433394875573407538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2dL2hr7DzI/AAAAAAAAAfo/cioBbyRgBf4/s400/spanglish1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And now, my bed looks like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2b6wbLOF_I/AAAAAAAAAe4/xnvpjOyIs-0/s1600-h/bed1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433305710304565234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2b6wbLOF_I/AAAAAAAAAe4/xnvpjOyIs-0/s400/bed1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I think I've officially reached the maximum allowable pillow count on our bed. I'm up to 10(!). Or is it 12? Something like that. Mike's actually been a good sport about all of this. I suspect it's because the bed, if nothing else, has become infinitely more comfortable. And after all, pillows <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">are</span> cheaper than shoes and handbags.<br /><br />On Saturday, I attended a lovely wedding shower (hi Jen!) with my mother-in-law and sisters-in-law. When the shower ended, my sister-in-law, Kristen, my mother-in-law, Loretta and I decided we weren't quite ready to go home yet. So where did we go? Well, T.J. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Maxx</span></span> of course! Ah, the old standby. The place where I feel almost as at-home as <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">at home</span>. T.J. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Maxx</span></span> is always hit or miss, but when you hit, you <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">HIT</span>. It was one of those days! Kristen, Loretta and I ended up spending an hour "enabling the hell out of each other" and while we all walked away with some very cute things, Loretta was definitely the grand-prize winner of the day. Loretta went home with THIS:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2b7dc48m5I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/kzTv7YBBbq0/s1600-h/chair1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433306483858906002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2b7dc48m5I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/kzTv7YBBbq0/s400/chair1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">FOR <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">SEVENTY-FIVE</span> DOLLARS! </span>Can you <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">believe</span> that!?! We later found out that the chair, from the<span style="font-size:130%;"> Compositions</span> line by <span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Schnadig</span></span> Furniture</span> usually retails for around $1,000.00!!! It's from the same maker that does all of the Ralph Lauren Home furniture. Unbelievable! We literally did NOT believe the price tag. We kept asking the T.J. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Maxx</span></span> employees, "Well, what's <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">wrong</span> with it? <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Something</span> has to be wrong." But no, it was pretty much perfect. And you should have seen Kristen man up to carry the chair into Loretta's house while wearing two-inch heels. Like I said, it was one of those days.<br /><br />I ended up getting a cute little table to go behind the chaise lounge in my bedroom. The chaise currently serves as further evidence of my blanket/pillow buying madness. I've <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">wanted</span> it to serve as a good place to read, but that wasn't happening until i got some good light in there somewhere. And the reading lamp I needed wasn't happening until I found a tall, narrow table to fit behind the chaise. So now, I have my reading spot. I also snagged that tray on the blanket, it's really beautiful in person, with a mother-of-pearl type inlay. (Shout out to Jen <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">again</span> - see your shower favor there???)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2b7Cc5AW1I/AAAAAAAAAfA/cu7iN1NYXf4/s1600-h/chaise1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433306020002683730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2b7Cc5AW1I/AAAAAAAAAfA/cu7iN1NYXf4/s400/chaise1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Now, I need some artwork to hang above the chaise. This one section of wall looks particularly sad and empty. For some reason, I don't like the idea of buying art at chain stores. I'll be stalking <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">etsy</span></span> for something, I think.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2b7PJXTL-I/AAAAAAAAAfI/Z8kNNRhE568/s1600-h/chaise2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433306238099337186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2b7PJXTL-I/AAAAAAAAAfI/Z8kNNRhE568/s400/chaise2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Jeez, it's embarrassing when you forget the remove all the "daily life" crap from your pics before posting...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2cXSvcpgZI/AAAAAAAAAfg/WlNVRkEK_Ac/s1600-h/chaise3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433337086187504018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2cXSvcpgZI/AAAAAAAAAfg/WlNVRkEK_Ac/s400/chaise3.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I'll leave you with this pic of Finn and Cullen at public skating on Saturday. Here's Finn giving his little bro a ride around the rink. In the interest of full disclosure, this picture was taken seconds before they wiped out. Not to worry, there were no serious injuries sustained. Although Cullen did tell me his eyes hurt. Whatever that means. Seeing as he was wearing a helmet with a full cage on it. I think he just picked a random body part and struck out this time. Ah, well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2cXKKSsHSI/AAAAAAAAAfY/p51l8I78LDg/s1600-h/hockey1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433336938774666530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S2cXKKSsHSI/AAAAAAAAAfY/p51l8I78LDg/s400/hockey1.JPG" border="0" /></a>Pics of the World's Smallest Bathroom to come! Some day.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Some</em> Spanglish<em> pics found at <strong>Hooked on Houses</strong>.</em></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-19575105824782865962010-01-25T11:15:00.001-08:002010-01-25T12:33:32.934-08:00A Month Late. A Buck Short.Okay, yes, it is officially a month after Christmas. But I couldn't very well let these pics go to waste, now could I? Or, maybe I could have, as once again half of my pics are from my crappy cell phone camera...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S138CP5PlfI/AAAAAAAAAeg/1HZiX8qfDuY/s1600-h/living.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S138CP5PlfI/AAAAAAAAAeg/1HZiX8qfDuY/s400/living.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430773841235252722" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S130UlnMLUI/AAAAAAAAAeA/11y1cXRk554/s1600-h/tree1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S130UlnMLUI/AAAAAAAAAeA/11y1cXRk554/s400/tree1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430765360209734978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S130aszROwI/AAAAAAAAAeI/1K4m898g8Is/s1600-h/flowers1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S130aszROwI/AAAAAAAAAeI/1K4m898g8Is/s400/flowers1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430765465218661122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S130i07B6tI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/uSvTXCpEtYg/s1600-h/mantel1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S130i07B6tI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/uSvTXCpEtYg/s400/mantel1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430765604837649106" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S1301nE0McI/AAAAAAAAAeY/PrWti3sKxA8/s1600-h/arrangement1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S1301nE0McI/AAAAAAAAAeY/PrWti3sKxA8/s400/arrangement1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430765927538110914" border="0" /></a><br />Annnd, of course, any excuse to show off the rink...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S1388UKSIsI/AAAAAAAAAeo/A3Ay-hZbAMw/s1600-h/rink.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S1388UKSIsI/AAAAAAAAAeo/A3Ay-hZbAMw/s400/rink.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430774838812877506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S139XwhQSuI/AAAAAAAAAew/SGqC1fZx4_c/s1600-h/cull+rink.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S139XwhQSuI/AAAAAAAAAew/SGqC1fZx4_c/s400/cull+rink.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430775310281886434" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On a COMPLETELY UNRELATED NOTE (as in, NO this is NOT some kind of "hint." NO, I am NOT pregnant again). I found this old scan while going through my computer looking for the Christmas pics. Is this not the most freakish sonogram you've ever seen?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S13zVEN-Q8I/AAAAAAAAAd4/Z6huKEhRcQ4/s1600-h/culleninutero.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 391px; height: 308px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/S13zVEN-Q8I/AAAAAAAAAd4/Z6huKEhRcQ4/s400/culleninutero.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430764268913836994" border="0" /></a><br />This is Mr. Cullen, in utero, acting as if he was fully expecting us. I think he's saying, "Here I am! Over here! See you in July!" I usually cannot make heads or tails of these things, but Cullen was doing his damnedest to make it all plain as day for his sometimes-a-little-slow Mom. Okay, enough about that. Just <span style="font-style: italic;">had</span> to share that one.<br /><br />Tomorrow I'll post some pics of our quick fix of the World's Smallest Bathroom.Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-28016310121197492042009-10-19T07:05:00.000-07:002009-10-19T09:03:46.768-07:00Works in ProgressThe last time I mentioned the formal living room and dining room was almost<span style="font-style: italic;"> a year ago</span>. Jeez. Now I feel guilty.<br /><br />Anyway, to help alleviate all this blog guilt, I thought I'd share some current pics of the formal living/dining area to keep you updated. Sorry these pics are so dark, I'm not sure why they came out like that...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/StyKRQt1hBI/AAAAAAAAAdM/SrmG-dl6wv0/s1600-h/living1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/StyKRQt1hBI/AAAAAAAAAdM/SrmG-dl6wv0/s400/living1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394338482832638994" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/StyKn79AUII/AAAAAAAAAdU/aXr8X6TxTlw/s1600-h/living2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/StyKn79AUII/AAAAAAAAAdU/aXr8X6TxTlw/s400/living2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394338872396107906" border="0" /></a>One of my favorite things about the living room is my little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">craigslist</span>-dresser-that-could. I talked about it when I bought it, <a href="http://ourbigyellowhouse.blogspot.com/2008/08/project-of-moment.html">here</a>. <span style="font-style: italic;">So what if I started this project in '07?</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Heh</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">heh</span>. I finally got the dresser painted <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">(BM Monterey</span> White) and added the new hardware from Quality Bath.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/StyKy-5KWuI/AAAAAAAAAdc/tNclYaOfIS0/s1600-h/dresser1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/StyKy-5KWuI/AAAAAAAAAdc/tNclYaOfIS0/s400/dresser1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394339062163856098" border="0" /></a>After lusting over the botanical prints from Restoration Hardware, which are like, $2700 apiece (okay, I'm exaggerating), I decided to make my own - and so I did. I picked the ferns myself during one of our impromptu family hikes and bought some nice, coordinating card stock at Michael's. The little decorative labels came from Michael's as well. I looked up the names of the different ferns online. Some of them might even be correctly identified! The frames came from Christmas Tree Shop - I swear the have the cheapest frames anywhere! Their frames are all over my house. The total cost of the project was about $45 for all nine <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">botanicals</span>. Not bad, eh? Much better than that $1800 it would've cost at RH, anyway.<br /><br />We also (finally!) hung the window treatments. These are some of the very first items I bought for the house back in '06. We stored them for years until we were ready for them. I fell in love with the drapes the moment I laid eyes on them in the Pottery Barn catalog. I patiently (or not so patiently, depending on who you ask) waited for them to go on sale, and the rest is history. And you know what? I <span style="font-style: italic;">still</span> love them. Every day I look at them and think, <span style="font-style: italic;">"I love these drapes! I love these shades!</span>" I do have to admit that I was a little worried about becoming yet another PB carbon-copy-house. But they <span style="font-style: italic;">ARE</span> only window treatments and I<span style="font-style: italic;"> DID</span> see the roman shades in the Kate Townsend-Simpson house on <a href="http://www.lonnymag.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">lonnymag</span>.com</a> (<span style="font-style: italic;">which, in my mind, gives them serious street cred</span>). Moving on...<br /><br />When the island became usable, we were finally able to move the round table from the kitchen into the dining room. We bought this table specifically for the dining room, and I think it looks really great in there. The table came with four leaves that extend the table to a huge 81" diameter - all while remaining round in shape. The pictures show the table with the leaves on. If you look closely, you can see the seam where the leaves meet the actual table. For the record, all those extra chairs in the room were placed there for a party and aren't normally there...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/StyHxqJL-YI/AAAAAAAAAc8/iL7xc65VOvE/s1600-h/dining1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/StyHxqJL-YI/AAAAAAAAAc8/iL7xc65VOvE/s400/dining1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394335740879174018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/StyJHAeqxPI/AAAAAAAAAdE/CpG0UfSaI1U/s1600-h/dining2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/StyJHAeqxPI/AAAAAAAAAdE/CpG0UfSaI1U/s400/dining2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394337207163733234" border="0" /></a>I love love LOVE the idea of having a fireplace in the dining room. I picture everyone gathered around the table at a big Christmas Eve party, with a fire warming the room while it snows outside. Hopefully, this will come true and I'll have the pics to prove it!<br /><br />The only snag we hit with the fireplace was that we had to place the table so as to ensure that even at 81", somebody's seat (literal<span style="font-style: italic;"> and </span>figurative) wouldn't end up getting scorched. So, we had to set the table slightly off center. For a while, I had a hard time getting past it, but as the room gets filled in, it looks better and less noticeable.<br /><br />Mike and I recently found some chandeliers that we actually agreed on (oh happy day!) online at Golden Lighting. I bought the rugs for these rooms online at Target.com. Typically, I don't like buying certain things sight unseen, but I was getting desperate. At the time, I was dying for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">seagrass</span>, but we were on a strict budget, and these 8x 10 rugs were something like $140 a piece, with free shipping. Hello! Mike HATES them - but I love them and he loves me. So for now, they stay. Still, I'd love to have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">seagrass</span> someday...<br /><br />The living room still needs lots of work and lots of new furniture, as discussed in my recent sofa post. Almost everything in these rooms came from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">craigslist</span>. Literally. Some of it will stay, but some of it has got. to. go.<br /><br />So, I guess that's it for now. Hopefully the rooms will be a bit more pulled together at the next update. Maybe I'll even have a new sofa!Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-16108663353683467232009-10-09T08:17:00.000-07:002009-10-09T10:36:48.205-07:00Seamingly ObviousSo, the island is finally DONE! We have a working dishwasher! And a working convection oven! I cooked a pork roast in <span style="font-style: italic;">ten minutes flat</span>. Not bad, eh?<br /><br />Of course, I don't have any pictures of the finished island - that would be too easy. What I DO have however, is a mini-tutorial on how to seam Ikea butcher block together.<br /><br />From day one of island planning, Mike and I knew that if we wanted to save money by going the Ikea route, we'd have to seam together two pieces of their butcher block to get the proper size. When we looked into doing this online, we could not find ANYTHING on seaming Ikea butcher block. Sure, plenty of people were seaming end-to-end to use for counter tops, but we needed to seam it horizontally -<span style="font-style: italic;"> the long way</span>. After searching for instructions and coming up empty, Mike decided to bite the bullet and go for it. I don't know if it was sheer luck or sheer genius or both, but the end result looks damn near perfect. Can <span style="font-style: italic;">you</span> find the seam in this picture? Yeah, me neither - but it's there somewhere:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/Ss9cEmKuGLI/AAAAAAAAAcc/I7HsMVGV_5Q/s1600-h/bb1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/Ss9cEmKuGLI/AAAAAAAAAcc/I7HsMVGV_5Q/s400/bb1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390628513020516530" border="0" /></a><br />If you are interested in doing this, here's the play by play:<br /><br />We started with two pieces of 73 <span style="font-size:78%;">1/4</span> x 39 <span style="font-size:78%;">3/8</span>" birch butcher block (which you can find here: www.ikea.com). To create our 48 x 65" island, we could have bought the smaller, cheaper 73 <span style="font-size:78%;">1/4</span> x 25 <span style="font-size:78%;">5/8</span>" pieces of butcher block, but decided to use the remnant we'd be creating for our future laundry room project. Two birds, one stone and all. So anyway, we used almost the entire first piece of butcher block and added about 10" from the second piece - creating a nice, big remnant for the laundry room.<br /><br />To begin, Mike made horizontal cuts on both pieces of butcher block, at the first possible seam (about 1.5 inches in), using a circular saw with a fine blade (the higher number of teeth, the better). He had made a guide for the circular saw, to ensure a straight, clean edge on both pieces. These cuts were very important, as these were the ends that would be seamed together and therefore, the cuts had to be as close to perfect as possible. An added bonus to having extra butcher block to work with was the option to re-do a cut if we weren't happy with the result - we'd simply move to the next seam and try again.<br /><br />Once we had two cuts we were happy with, Mike used a router with a straight tip router bit to fix any inconsistencies caused by the circular saw. He ended up taking about<span style="font-size:85%;"> 1/16</span> to <span style="font-size:85%;">1/8</span> of an inch off each edge, again using the homemade guide for accuracy. He then used a biscuit joiner, roughly every six inches and a Kreg Tool (found here: http://www.kregtool.com/index.php) to put screws in between every biscuit. This was definitely overkill, but as we have an overhang portion on our island, where part of the heavy butcher block top is supported only by turned legs rather than a base, we decided to err on the side of caution.<br /><br />Then, Mike applied wood glue at the new seam and used four HUGE four foot clamps to hold the pieces together. We spread the four clamps out over the 73" length of the island and they worked fine. We then let the glue dry for 24 hours. A tip: do NOT wipe glue residue while it is still wet. This will only cause it to spread thin and it will become even more difficult to remove when it dries.<br /><br />After the glue had set for 24+ hours, Mike lightly scraped and sanded all glue residue from the top. He then made the vertical cuts needed to take the 73" length to 65". Once the top was properly sized, Mike again used the router, this time with a Roman ogee bit, to put a nice custom edge on it:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/Ss9lAnyy_WI/AAAAAAAAAcs/SKjiJIFEY6o/s1600-h/edge2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/Ss9lAnyy_WI/AAAAAAAAAcs/SKjiJIFEY6o/s400/edge2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390638340342218082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/Ss9kt74QkbI/AAAAAAAAAck/i7F_UesRbGs/s1600-h/edge1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/Ss9kt74QkbI/AAAAAAAAAck/i7F_UesRbGs/s400/edge1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390638019316322738" border="0" /></a><br />At the end of the day, this is what the island looked like (before dishwasher and convection oven were installed):<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/Ss9miA4aamI/AAAAAAAAAc0/OLGoK-MbyvU/s1600-h/fin1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/Ss9miA4aamI/AAAAAAAAAc0/OLGoK-MbyvU/s400/fin1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390640013523970658" border="0" /></a><br />We still have to treat the top with mineral oil, but we are very happy with the results so far. Not bad for $400 worth of Ikea butcher block, especially considering the laundry room table we'll get out of it. Quite a difference between $400 and the $1000-$2000 we were quoted for finished pieces of butcher block this size.<br /><br />Gotta love money-saving DIY goodness.Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-33196762700329981352009-10-01T07:40:00.000-07:002009-10-01T07:53:17.601-07:00Have a Seat?Sofas. Couches. Settees. Divans. <span style="font-style: italic;">Divans?</span><br /><br />Call them what you will, we need one. If I have to look at the <span style="font-style: italic;">what-was-supposed-to-be-a temporary-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">craigslist</span>-sofa-that-has-somehow-stuck-<br />around-for-three-effing-years</span> sofa in my beautiful, formal living room for one more day, I am going to become suicidal. Or, <span style="font-style: italic;">sofa</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">cidal</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Heh</span>. I just made that up.<br /><br />I've seen some incredible prices on furniture lately. I don't know if it's the economy, or the fact that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ikea</span> has recently graced us Bostonians with its presence, but prices seem to be falling. Which is a good thing.<br /><br />I have been looking for a nice, sturdy (preferably <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">slipcovered</span>) sofa for <span style="font-style: italic;">forever</span>. Well, it <span style="font-style: italic;">seems</span> like forever. I've ordered fabric swatches from half the furniture companies in North America. I have my heart set on a light colored sofa, so feel free to snicker behind my back. I *think* I've narrowed it down to three options. Of course my husband, ever the opinionated decorator, will have to have a say in all of this. But, for now, here are the three I'm considering (all are under $1500):<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Eaton Sofa</span> from <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Nantuckit</span> Furniture</span>. Oh, how I would love to own the two-over-two model with a beautiful natural linen slipcover on it. At $1339, this one wouldn't totally break the bank. Plus, it IS <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">slipcovered</span>, which ranks high on my wish list as we have small children and "machine washable" is pretty much a prerequisite for anything in our house.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SsSxM6-8FmI/AAAAAAAAAbs/5-eE-sq4F7k/s1600-h/nfsofa1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 194px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SsSxM6-8FmI/AAAAAAAAAbs/5-eE-sq4F7k/s400/nfsofa1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387625889791743586" border="0" /></a><br />2.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> The Brooke Sofa</span>, which I found at<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Boston Interiors</span>. Not sure if I'd be able to find it elsewhere, but at $1299, the price isn't bad. It's not <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">slipcovered</span>, but I do like it. I don't know much about their quality, though. Or even where their sofas come from for that matter.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SsSyg3PW8oI/AAAAAAAAAcM/kfIFRx3avwM/s1600-h/bisofa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 343px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SsSyg3PW8oI/AAAAAAAAAcM/kfIFRx3avwM/s400/bisofa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387627331895882370" border="0" /></a>3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Loring</span> Sofa</span> from <span style="font-weight: bold;">Room and Board</span>. I realize this one isn't <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">slipcovered</span> either, but <span style="font-style: italic;">look at it!</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span>So beautiful</span>. I love the tight back and the two (instead of three) seat cushions. And of course, I could always get a slipcover made some time down the road. At $1199, it's actually the cheapest of the three and currently in the lead in the <span style="font-size:130%;">Sofa Race in My Head</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SsSx8fGsheI/AAAAAAAAAb8/oQPKFYiWtu0/s1600-h/rabsofa1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 158px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SsSx8fGsheI/AAAAAAAAAb8/oQPKFYiWtu0/s400/rabsofa1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387626706941806050" border="0" /></a><br />I've also always loved the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Seabury</span> Sofa from Pottery Barn, but at $2000+, it's a long shot. I might be able to track down a similar model through Rowe, as I believe they make some of the PB furniture, but we'll see.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SsSyKAhniaI/AAAAAAAAAcE/8x15kGqQE_c/s1600-h/pbsofa1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 360px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SsSyKAhniaI/AAAAAAAAAcE/8x15kGqQE_c/s400/pbsofa1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387626939251394978" border="0" /></a>As much as I'd LOVE to see a new sofa in my living room, I'm not 100% sure we should be looking into buying furniture right now, for three reasons...<br /><br />1. We are finishing up a major home renovation.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Translation: We are tapped OUT.</span><br /><br />2. We have a four-year old <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> a three-year old. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Both boys</span>. <span style="font-style: italic;">Translation: Anything we buy within the next ten years will undoubtedly end up looking like this:<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SsS43ItoJVI/AAAAAAAAAcU/Saz2nTqCnPw/s1600-h/dirtycouch1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SsS43ItoJVI/AAAAAAAAAcU/Saz2nTqCnPw/s400/dirtycouch1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387634311613130066" border="0" /></a><br />3. I really, really like white furniture. <span style="font-style: italic;">Translation: See No. 2, above.<br /><br /></span><span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Sooo</span>, I guess we have some things to think through. I really believe we'd do okay with a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">slipcovered</span> sofa, even in white. And yes, even with two crazy little boys. After all, the sofa <span style="font-style: italic;">will </span>be in the formal living room and the boys don't go in there for much other than <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">nerf</span> tag and fort building. Both of which are fairly sofa-friendly activities.<br /><br />Then again, these <span style="font-style: italic;">are</span> the same kids who drew "elephants" on their new wool rug. With Sharpies. </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-88067810615878299472009-09-25T07:03:00.000-07:002009-09-25T09:39:53.955-07:00On an Island in the Sun<span style="font-size:180%;">I wish. </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >But</span>, we <span style="font-style: italic;">do</span> have an island! And, technically, it <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> in the sun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SrzhzH1WVsI/AAAAAAAAAbM/ed5-7qLlPuI/s1600-h/island2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SrzhzH1WVsI/AAAAAAAAAbM/ed5-7qLlPuI/s400/island2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385427522820658882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/Srzh391GQ7I/AAAAAAAAAbU/hJkTr1uhNmk/s1600-h/island1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/Srzh391GQ7I/AAAAAAAAAbU/hJkTr1uhNmk/s400/island1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385427606034596786" border="0" /></a><br />Mike never ceases to amaze. He's about 2/3 done with our kitchen island. The pictures <span style="font-size:130%;">really</span> don't do it justice. For one, those are just our old, beat up chairs in the pic - placed there so we could get a feel for the size of whatever stools we end up buying. And, the butcher block is just for temporary effect. It's not cut to it's proper size yet.<br /><br />Now, for the specifics: Mike built the base, which will house our Asko dishwasher and GE Advantium convection oven, all by himself. What a man. I've been waiting about three years to test-drive these appliances. We snagged the Asko from the same place we bought our cabinets - a kitchen design center that was closing some of its showrooms. We got our shiny, Swedish dishwasher for about a third of the retail price.<br /><br />Our Advantium convection oven was a craigslist find. No kidding. It was brand new, in the box - just happened to be a few years old. A contractor's client had decided not to use it, and we ended up buying it for <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >almost a fifth less</span> than what they're going for today. Sure, it <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> a few years old, but I'd call that a pretty decent trade-off.<br /><br />Our butcher block countertops came from IKEA (best prices on butcher block e-v-e-r!). We will be joining two pieces of the butcher block together to get the size we need. Then, Mike will put a nice Roman ogee edge on it, using his new router bit. I've seen his practice pieces and they look really beautiful. Finally, we ordered four turned legs online to dress the island up a bit. Hopefully we'll have pics of the finished island soon. Mike is literally obsessed with this project, so I don't think that's a very long shot.<br /><br />So far, the island project has been smooth sailing. There's only one <span style="font-style: italic;">little</span> detail that's been worrying us (me): the trim work inside the panels. We're considering NOT staining the trim to match the rest of the island, but rather painting it to match the cabinet color. I was (am) worried it'll look too circus-y (that's a technical term, btw). At the moment, the wood trim is not painted at all, it's just wood color (another technical term). The wood color is pretty close to the color of our cabinetry, so it's not a stretch to envision the finished product this way. I'm sure the trim will look better once it's painted the<span style="font-style: italic;"> actual cabinet color</span>, with a nice brown-ish glaze to tone it down a bit. Mike is firmly in the circus camp. Me, I just don't know. Any thoughts, one way or the other?<br /><br />As an aside, after repeatedly changing our minds as to the final shape and size of the island, it looks like we'll be taking down the two pendant lights that are currently hanging in the kitchen and replacing them with one pendant light similar in shape to this one:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SrzYMDjOP_I/AAAAAAAAAbE/EU32WaZ2CZQ/s1600-h/morton+pendant.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 344px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SrzYMDjOP_I/AAAAAAAAAbE/EU32WaZ2CZQ/s400/morton+pendant.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385416956051341298" border="0" /></a>We've given ourselves a deadline of October 10th for this project, as we're hosting a family party the next day. Fingers crossed.<br /><br />P.S. We're in the market for four counter height stools if anyone has seen any good deals out there.Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-48020646066480232952009-07-09T08:32:00.000-07:002009-09-25T08:39:40.653-07:00Happy Birthday Cullen!<span style="font-size:130%;">Ahh, my little guy - <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:180%;" >three years old. </span>Time is beginning to <span style="font-size:180%;">fly</span>. Too fast. And I don't like it.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Happy Birthday Cullen Eric!</span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />We love you more than you'll ever know!!!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SrzkCxpD7TI/AAAAAAAAAbc/E_bl8P3ooKo/s1600-h/cullbday1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SrzkCxpD7TI/AAAAAAAAAbc/E_bl8P3ooKo/s400/cullbday1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385429990764703026" border="0" /></a>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-62938127366815336282009-06-03T09:21:00.000-07:002009-06-03T09:46:06.469-07:00Back...again.<span style="font-size:130%;">Okay, let's just get this out of the way right now</span>: To all three of my regular readers (two of whom I'm related to) <strong>I deeply, deeply apologize for leaving you hanging for so long</strong>. I was almost too guilt-ridden to come back at all. Alas, Mike has created yet another blog-worthy wonder structure, so here I am. And, here<em> it</em> is:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Can you tell what it is yet?</span> No, it's not the world's least effective sun porch...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343138000835786178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/Siajs921NcI/AAAAAAAAAaA/5c6H-kWFeSE/s400/treehouse2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p>it's also not the world's least effective solar-powered house.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343138172819834850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/Siaj2-jBh-I/AAAAAAAAAaI/szZqdJYIHNA/s400/treehouse7.jpg" border="0" /></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ahh</span>, we're getting closer...</span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343138337028322850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SiakAiRYNiI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/IZYoLvuZDog/s400/treehouse9.jpg" border="0" /></p><p><strong>What has six legs, three windows and a big yellow slide?</strong></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343139412958114226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/Siak_KbB8bI/AAAAAAAAAao/Git9qwd-8Lo/s400/treehouse_12.jpg" border="0" /></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Finn and Cullen's new club house, of course!</span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343138692928009346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SiakVQGedII/AAAAAAAAAaY/nUWjCxSDOJ0/s400/treehouse15.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>And there's Mr. Cullen making a cameo in the doorway.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343139058355645298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SiakqhbNq3I/AAAAAAAAAag/aMHLNp2nXPI/s400/treehouse16.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>It's not finished yet, but we're almost there. We found the windows (which are nicer than my own) and the slide on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">craigslist</span> and we splurged on the vinyl siding (also nicer than my own). Luckily, we had some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Trex</span> decking left over from our own deck, so Mr. Finn and Mr. Cullen ended up with <span style="font-size:130%;">one high-end club house!</span></p><p>Mike is really giving me a run for my money in the favorite parent category. Good thing I can still make a killer PB & J. I'm also slightly less prickly after a day of not shaving, so I have that going for me as well.</p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Stay tuned for interior pics. We're thinking granite and recessed lighting. I'm kidding. </span></p>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-58296401934148223362009-05-27T11:56:00.000-07:002009-06-03T12:07:14.932-07:00Happy Birthday Finn!<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Finn Michael</span> - you are <strong>FOUR YEARS OLD</strong> today! We love you <span style="font-size:180%;">so much</span> and are <span style="font-size:180%;">so proud</span> of the "big boy" you are becoming.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343179765785341858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SibJsAawr6I/AAAAAAAAAa4/HPvd9XrGM6M/s400/finn.JPG" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-43091812264517528122009-03-26T13:27:00.000-07:002009-03-27T08:24:42.060-07:00The Big RevealOkay, here it is...<span style="font-size:180%;">the moment you've all been waiting for</span>.... (or, at least, the moment<em> I've</em> been waiting for):<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317880593498215746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SczoOXVnlUI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/UPScKi3O_uE/s400/BR-vanity.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317880691682620450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SczoUFGmtCI/AAAAAAAAAZY/SeZwQt717xQ/s400/BR-shower.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317881225288684498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SczozI8NE9I/AAAAAAAAAZw/lwwaGX0wIUM/s400/BR-ceiling.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317880872374984258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 397px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SczoemPBXkI/AAAAAAAAAZg/9DORYEjGmpU/s400/BR-floor.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317881105539522994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SczosK1x4bI/AAAAAAAAAZo/jqzG6c1QjmU/s400/BR-air+tub.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317881370221640354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/Sczo7k26eqI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/4dGCEAwHL1c/s400/BR-toilet.JPG" border="0" />The new second floor bathroom! <span style="font-size:180%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa</span>.</span></div><div><div></div><div>(That fuzzy pink thing at the bottom of pic no. 4 is my knee - I'm wearing my bathrobe. Sexy, I know.)</div><div></div><div>I had a feeling that I wasn't gonna have enough time to get some pics this morning and I ended up taking them last night. So, I apologize for the glare and the color being off and the general <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">crappiness</span> of quality. </div><div></div><div>This remodel was 99% <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">DIY</span>. Mike did everything from gutting the room himself to building the beautiful mahogany decking around the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">air tub</span>. This room in particular was a compromise for us, and I am really happy with the results. We wanted a spa-like feel, but had to keep it kid-friendly. And, for Mike's sake, I didn't want anything too feminine. I have to say, I think we did okay. I think we spent just over $6,000, all in all. Not too bad for a complete gut job. The room had been the smallest of four bedrooms on the second floor and while some would disagree with swapping out a bedroom for a bathroom, we ultimately decided it was the right thing to do for us. I'm working on a before and after post, to better illustrate the transformation. I'll also be including details for all of the products we used in the remodel.<br /><br />There are many, many little things that still need to be dealt with* but for the most part, we're <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">callin</span>' it d-o-n-e!</div><div></div><div><em>*I suppose one of those things would be window treatments. I should probably try to get those up before Mike gives the old lady who works at the church next door a heart attack. </em></div></div></div></div></div></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-65761060366290583032009-03-18T08:42:00.000-07:002009-03-18T09:14:42.678-07:00Sneak Preview TimeWell, I may have stopped <em>posting</em> for a while, but we have <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">NOT</span></strong> stopped working! There is much to be blogged!<br /><br /><div>So, I'll start with a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">little</span> sneak preview of the finally-almost-done second floor bath. When we bought the house, we decided right away to turn the smallest second floor bedroom into a bathroom. I know, I know, probably not the smartest move resale-wise, but as of now we have no intention of moving and the existing second floor bathroom just wasn't cutting it (i.e., is that a <em>hole</em> in the <em>floor</em>?).</div><br /><div>Mike has been <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">hard at work</span></strong> on this project, as we have an appraisal coming up and apparently you really NEED a bathroom for a house to have maximum value. Again, this is only a sneak peek, but I should have the final, finished bathroom ready to post by next week. Here is our lovely new shower stall, sans glass door and shower heads:</div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314557537686968802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/ScEZ7Dw02eI/AAAAAAAAAY4/TWYXrMEZBPA/s400/shower+whole.bmp" border="0" />Okay, the color is a little "off" due to the early morning light, but you get the picture. I swear this stall is bigger than the <em>entire</em> downstairs bathroom. I should have thrown the kids in there for a nice size comparison. Here, I'll do a mock-up instead:</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314561097411635378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/ScEdKQxUqLI/AAAAAAAAAZI/SE0RkJM6pKg/s400/shower+mock-up.bmp" border="0" />See, I told you it was big. Finn's on the left and Cullen's the one with the big head.<br /><p>And, a close-up of the tile and border:</p><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314558016934913442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/ScEaW9GcJaI/AAAAAAAAAZA/KeWQFgiBKFk/s400/shower+close+up.bmp" border="0" /><br />I cannot <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">WAIT</span></strong> for this room to be done. I expect it will be life-changing. </div><div> </div><div>Mike and I are already fighting over who gets the first shower. I suppose he<em> did</em> do all of the grunt work. But, I suspect if I snuck in he wouldn't kick me out. Or, maybe he would - it's just that awesome.<br /><br /><div></div></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-70215014587214315112009-01-08T07:29:00.001-08:002009-01-08T08:25:37.982-08:00And We're BackWell, I'm back from my self-imposed blog exile. Not really sure what brought it on - other than a complete lack of anything to write about (I'm pretty sure complete lack of ambition played a part as well). Anyway, I <em>still </em>don't have MUCH to write about...work on the house kind of ceased for the holidays and you <em>know</em> how hard it can be to get back into the swing of things after a nice little hiatus! So, I don't have much to report on house-wise, but there are a few interesting things I want to bring up:<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>1. Target has begun carrying (mostly online) some really nice wallpaper. Not totally cheap, but not designer prices, either. Wallpaper is <em>definitely</em> making a comeback. Now, if you find a print you like, it doesn't necessarily have to go on the <em>wall</em>. A nice, bold wallpaper pattern looks great on the inside of a glass-doored bookcase. Or inside bureau drawers. Here are some pics from the Target website:</div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288955764873194082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SWYlPv4FamI/AAAAAAAAAXo/QxYTmpLbpbo/s400/wallpaper12.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288955537775833794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SWYlCh32ssI/AAAAAAAAAXg/m0sx8F6UntY/s400/wallpaper6.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288955247844987682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SWYkxpy9EyI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/vJxd7BLoS_U/s400/wallpaper2.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288955390436723442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SWYk58_eSvI/AAAAAAAAAXY/HPmYEyKG2AA/s400/wallpaper8.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288955945325752322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SWYlaQHU8AI/AAAAAAAAAX4/4mhFibzMd4g/s400/wallpaper7.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288955858440771138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SWYlVMcVVkI/AAAAAAAAAXw/Bnhtyx9AddY/s400/wallpaper5.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288956262759783810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SWYlsupf3YI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/fZc7xcHnozI/s400/wallpaper11.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288956689968325442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SWYmFmH840I/AAAAAAAAAYg/uoS-RMa9vMA/s400/wallpaper14.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288956783431719042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SWYmLCTXGII/AAAAAAAAAYo/ny7Q-qzaC78/s400/wallpaper15.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288956098159849954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SWYljJd0MeI/AAAAAAAAAYA/RrEyiwDionE/s400/wallpaper9.jpg" border="0" />2. I know many people (myself included) are feeling the pinch right now. It can be <span style="font-size:180%;">very</span> depressing when all you do is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">visualize</span> your dream room(s), but don't have the extra cash to make the dream a reality. With the economy continuing to tank, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">now seems like</span> a good time to explore alternative ways to get things done. Like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">craigslist</span>. I've noticed that there's a real abundance of good, quality stuff on my local <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">craigslist</span>. Maybe people are downsizing. Maybe they're trying to make some extra money. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">don't</span> know, but for whatever reason, it sure seems like there's a lot to be had right now. I <span style="font-size:180%;">strongly</span> urge everyone to take a look on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">craigslist</span> before going out to purchase new. Now, I totally understand that there's quite a difference between buying a used side table and a used couch. It's not for everyone, and obviously you have to draw your own lines. But, as far as nice, solid, wood furniture goes, they don't make 'em like they used to (or, if they do, they're <span style="font-size:130%;"><em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">reeeeally</span></em></span> expensive). There's plenty of stuff out there that would look brand new (not to mention unique) with a little paint and some elbow grease. As a matter of fact, I think I'll go check it out right now.</div><br /><div>I'll try to get some new pics of the backyard skating rink up tomorrow. We have ice! Mike is in hockey heaven :) </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-88994890326568644572008-12-18T13:56:00.000-08:002008-12-22T09:02:41.666-08:00A Tale of Two Christmas TreesIt was never our intention to be a two-tree house. Sure, we knew that a nice big tree would look lovely in our front, street-facing window. But it wasn't exactly high on the priority list. The "real" tree, the tree we'd chop down ourselves and celebrate Christmas morning under, would be in the den, off of the kitchen. And so it was, last year, on our first Christmas in the Big Yellow House. All was right with the world. For a few weeks, anyway.<br /><br /><br />On December 22, 2007, a Saturday, we were frantically preparing for our family's Christmas party. I don't remember <em>exactly</em> what I was doing, but rest assured it involved last minute cooking, cleaning, gift wrapping, kid bathing and a whole lot of last minute <span style="font-size:130%;">hurrying</span>, in general. Earlier in the month I had purchased a beautiful, big, white poinsettia plant from Home Depot. As I do most years, I tweaked it to my liking, decorating it with whatever sparkle-y holiday fare from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Michael's</span> struck my fancy, and used it for a kitchen table centerpiece. In my maniacal gift wrapping, child dressing craze, I had forgotten to return the poinsettia to its place of honor on the table, which had become wrapping paper central, and so it sat on the corner of our kitchen counter for the night, while we were out partying it up with 40 of our closest relatives and Mr. Claus himself.<br /><br />When we returned home, I brought the little guys up to bed. One had fallen asleep in the car and the other required some slight coaxing and "rocking chairing" to return him to his previous state of slumber. Mike headed into the kitchen to do some post-frenzy clean up. When I came downstairs a good half hour later, a found Mike frantically wiping down all flat surfaces in the kitchen, with a look of disgust, mixed with...."<em>I don't <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">flippin</span></em>' <em>believe this</em>"on his face. Mike turned to look at me and the first words out of his mouth were, "Thank God you didn't get here first." What? Did I miss something? Mike's eyes were darting all around the room as he told me what he walked in on....<br /><br /><br />He had begun clearing off the kitchen table when something caught his eye.....a web. A <em>spider web</em>. Between the pendant lights over the kitchen table. A spider web with <em>spiders ON IT</em>. Many spiders.<span style="font-size:130%;"> <strong>MANY MANY MANY spiders</strong></span>. all the size of a "<strong>.</strong>" Then, another web, from the pendant lamp to the very top of the poinsettia plant. The poinsettia plant, covered in mini-webs. And then, as his eyes followed the plant to the lights, the lights to the ceiling, an entire <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">ARMY</span></strong> of them. Marching <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">in line</span>, all the way down the center of the living room. Some had paused at the ceiling fan, creating yet more webs and others had moved on....to the Christmas tree. Thousands and thousands of tiny, brand new baby spiders. Calling our <em>Christmas tree</em> their new home. About 48 hours before Santa's due arrival.<br /><br />It took <em>hours</em> to clean up the disaster. All in all, the spiders had made it over <em>twenty feet</em> away from their nest. All the while fanning out in different directions. The tree had to be bagged and thrown out. The same fate awaited the garland that had decorated the cabinet tops. And the <strong>damn poinsettia plant</strong>, that I had had my hands in and out of so many times while intricately positioning my decorations, that got the boot right out the back door. The poor kids woke up to a scene <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">straight</span> out of the Grinch. Someone had stolen Christmas! We called Home Depot first thing the next morning.<br /><br />I listened while Mike explained what had happened. Yes, we bought a poinsettia plant from your store, yes it housed a nest of unhatched baby spiders. Yes, the spiders hatched in our house and infested our living room, kitchen and ALL of our Christmas decorations. Yes, we still have the plant (for evidence, just in case). Yes, we'll be <em>right down</em>.<br /><br />As soon as we got to Home Depot, the woman behind the customer service counter called the manager we had talked to on the phone. He came down, found out who we were, shuddered <em>just a little bit</em> and said, "Give them whatever they want."<br /><br />Now, I like to think we didn't abuse the situation, though I do believe we <em>deserved</em> to abuse it. We picked out some garlands to replace the ones we had to toss and then it was time to grab a replacement Christmas tree. Of course, Mike had already told the manager, in no uncertain terms, that his wife would NOT be allowing anything further from the Home Depot gardens into the house. So naturally, we went with an artificial tree.<br /><br />And you better believe we picked out the <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">biggest, most expensive</span></strong> one they had. It looks <span style="font-size:180%;">perfect</span> in our front window ;)<br /><br />So, we are now a two-tree family. One artificial and one real. It's been very nice having the two trees. One more for "show" and the other for all the usual, sentimental reasons.<br /><br />We are also now a <em>strictly artificial</em> <em>poinsettia</em> family. But really, can you blame us? <br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Wishing you all a wonderful, spider-free Holiday Season! </strong></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>See you in '09!</strong> </span>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-43800380492001301022008-12-05T09:44:00.000-08:002008-12-05T10:42:24.869-08:00Now How Do I Explain This to the Neighbors?When Mike and I were house-shopping, we had a list of the usual criteria to fill, for the most part.<br /><br /><div><div><div>In or close to our hometown? <strong>Check.</strong></div><br /><div>Big enough to grow into? <strong>Check.</strong></div><br /><div>Historic charm? <strong>Check.</strong></div><br /><div>Affordable? <strong>Check. Kinda.</strong></div><br /><div>Yard big enough to house a hockey rink? <strong>Check.</strong></div><br /><div>Yes, that really was one of the things my husband took into consideration when buying the house. Normally, I would've given him some grief over such a thing, but the words "three shower-head shower" worked a strange kind of magic on me. And so I caved, with visions of future hour-long showers dancing in my head.</div><br /><div>I guess it's only a minor technicality that the shower still isn't finished. The hockey rink, however, is moving right along. Just in time. I'm sure Mike and the boys will get much use out of the rink this Winter. Actually, I'm not sure the boys have much of a say in the matter, especially since our college plans for them are "hockey scholarship." I'm only kind of kidding. Besides, isn't "Finn <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Granara</span>" is great pro hockey name? See, that's what I thought!</div><br /><div>Can you believe they sell kits to do this? Hockey fans must be especially die-hard. Mike still has to add the liner and fill it with water, but here it is so far, in all it's glory - our very own hockey rink:</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276375491531339666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/STlzjdpNd5I/AAAAAAAAAXA/pTAJhZDd1PY/s400/rink3.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276375582277345938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/STlzovsvopI/AAAAAAAAAXI/OxDm3lMsgcg/s400/rink2.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276375375032382290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/STlzcrpsc1I/AAAAAAAAAW4/Q86FicZftmk/s400/rink4.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>He's so crazy. But that's why I love him.</p>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-88637659341710996402008-11-14T14:18:00.000-08:002008-11-14T14:29:05.765-08:00You Gotta Love That<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SR37mNFZViI/AAAAAAAAAWw/XkFyYXUlh6Q/s1600-h/thermo.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268643772859242018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SR37mNFZViI/AAAAAAAAAWw/XkFyYXUlh6Q/s400/thermo.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Thermostat set at 63 and the house a balmy 70 degrees.</div><br /><div></div><div>Sometimes that Mike really knows what he's talking about! I have to admit, when he first started babbling about some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cellar</span>-dwelling, wood burning stove-type thing that could heat the house, I had my doubts. But the man pulled it off. Screw you, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Keyspan</span>.</div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-9253292807278194992008-11-13T12:52:00.000-08:002008-11-17T14:03:48.133-08:00Oh Crap.Tagged!?! I'm not so sure I can come up with 8 random facts about myself (sad, isn't it?). I'm also not so sure I even <em>know</em> 8 other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bloggers</span> well enough to tag them (also sad). But here goes anyway, because I really like Jen and she's the one who tagged me :)<br /><br />1. I am a HUGE <span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Lost</em> </span>fan and am counting the days til <span style="font-size:130%;">January 21st</span>!<br /><br />2. Mike and I were <span style="font-size:130%;">high school sweethearts</span> and started dating at the ripe old age of<span style="font-size:130%;"> 16.</span> There was a five year relationship hiatus in there somewhere, but obviously things worked out the way they were supposed to.<br /><br />3. I gained <span style="font-size:130%;">12 pounds </span>during my last pregnancy and gave birth to an (almost) 9 lb baby. One of the few genetic traits I'm thankful for is the ease with which I have gone through my pregnancies.<br /><br />4. I can <span style="font-size:130%;">moonwalk</span>.<br /><br />5. My husband lost his <span style="font-size:130%;">best friend</span> five years ago. Cullen is (middle) named after him.<br /><br />6. I fell in the "<span style="font-size:130%;">log ride</span>" at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Canobie</span> Lake Park when I was six. Obviously, I survived.<br /><br />7. Mike and I renovated our <em>entire</em> house via <span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">craigslist</span></span>. You name it, we got it on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">craigslist</span>. If anyone out there needs any <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">reno</span> on a budget tips, we're your guys.<br /><br />8. I am a <span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Tetris</span> prodigy</span>.<br /><br />Okay, now I'm off to find 8 blogger friends...this might take a while.Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-8113559988749779992008-11-12T07:36:00.001-08:002008-11-12T08:52:15.829-08:00Tis (Almost) the SeasonOn Monday, when I left for work, there weren't any speakers in my kitchen ceiling. On Monday, when I got home from work, there were. Just like that. <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Magic</span></strong>. <div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267813775893094994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SRsIuBcEYlI/AAAAAAAAAWY/DYGxzBO0z-o/s400/speakers1.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267813888201601618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SRsI0j0gMlI/AAAAAAAAAWg/IMgeWJ3iIJ8/s400/speakers2.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Last year, when Mike was putting up new ceilings on the first floor, he wired the entire floor for in-ceiling speakers. We didn't actually <em>have</em> the speakers at the time, but he made a "map" of the wires, for when the time came. And the time came on Monday, with the purchase of the first set of speakers.</div><br /><div>They still need to be painted out to match the white ceiling, but they aren't as terrible of an eyesore as I feared they'd be.</div><br /><div>When we bought the house, there was a little broom closet in the kitchen that would be surviving the gut job, so Mike and I decided this would be a great place to house all the electronic components for our surround sound and ceiling speakers. I had an old set of bi-fold doors and a single door from that set ended up fitting the frame perfectly! No adjustments needed. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267814003201436258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SRsI7QOmamI/AAAAAAAAAWo/n1RMqLpI6ro/s400/closetdoor.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>The door's frosted glass front ended up being a surprising bonus, as all of our remote controls work right through the door and that eliminates the need to open it. All of the unsightly electronics and wires are conveniently hidden. We still haven't decided if we should paint the door or not. </div><br /><div>Although he won't admit it, the <em>real </em>reason Mike wanted ceiling speakers throughout the house is for Christmas music. Yes, that's right, he is going around cutting holes into our brand new ceilings and installing speakers in <em>every</em> room so we can listen to Christmas music throughout the entire first floor of the house. He's just one of those people who loves everything about Christmas. And most of the time, I love him for it. Our radios (house and car) have been tuned to the "Christmas music station" since they began playing (on November 1st!). </div><br /><div>All in all, I think the speakers are a nice idea. At the very least, they'll make for nice ambiance during our <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">first</span> </strong>Christmas party in the<strong><span style="font-size:130%;"> Big Yellow House</span></strong>.</div><br /><div>On another note, Cullen continues his run as <span style="font-size:130%;">Kid Most Likely to Give an Adult a Heart Attack</span>. Honestly, the kid has<strong><span style="font-size:130%;"> zero</span></strong> sense of caution. On Monday night, while attempting to climb up the wrong side of a chair, the chair fell backward on top of him, hit him in the face, and caused his right canine tooth <strong>TO GO RIGHT THROUGH HIS UPPER LIP</strong>. Clear through to the other side. I've <em>heard</em> of this happening, but had never<em> seen</em> it and promptly proceeded to flip out until Mike assured me that there was nothing that could be done for it, and cleaning it would be enough. </div><br /><div>To top THAT off, once Cullen had calmed down (which literally took five seconds - I was still breathing into a paper bag at this point) he went for some extra gross-out points by chugging a large bottle of <strong>ORANGE JUICE</strong> while every adult in the room simultaneous groaned and cringed. The kid didn't so much as bat an eyelash.</div><br /><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Oy</span></span>. My heart can't take much more of this. </div></div></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-57146236151489299762008-11-07T07:40:00.000-08:002008-11-07T09:17:06.194-08:00Mudroom, InterruptedI have written (complained) before about the complete and utter lack of storage space in the Big Yellow House. Which, in a 3,000 sq. ft. house seems slightly ridiculous. Supposedly, the lack of storage is due to the fact that back in the day, say 1897, people didn't generally own 1,200 outfits and 500 pairs of shoes. Not that I<em> do </em>(although my husband will tell you otherwise). It just <em>seems</em> like I do - comparatively speaking.<br /><br /><div><div><div>The little mudroom off the kitchen was a part of the house that really sold me on the place. Not only is it conveniently located, but it's not too big and I've always liked the idea of using a back door entrance. Now, with two little boys who, <em>I swear</em>, secrete dirt from their pores, I like the idea even more. </div><br /><div>Mike has created a really great plan for the mudroom, complete with custom Mike-made, bench, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cubbies</span></span> and coat hooks. I have been waiting with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bated</span> breath to have full access to and use of our new mudroom. Til then, we have coats on chairs, coats on doors, coats on coats. Seriously. They. Are. Everywhere. We need this mudroom like Gary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Busey</span> needs rehab.</div><br /><div>We were full steam ahead on the project for the last couple of weeks, painting the room the ever-popular <strong>Monroe Bisque</strong> and hanging a (nice looking!) drop ceiling. We begrudgingly decided to go with a drop ceiling in the mudroom, as the second floor laundry will be directly above this space. You know, <em>just in case</em>. Mike got enough done for me to get these "sneak preview" pics in:</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265963585522990194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SRR1-xM9fHI/AAAAAAAAAWA/c3NMIcUg3Po/s400/wall.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265963680497513538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SRR2ETAptEI/AAAAAAAAAWI/0MLFabDNmDg/s400/bead+board.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265963765534213794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SRR2JPy-xqI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/3dumJKCZzLo/s400/ceiling.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>The true paint color kind of got lost in the rainy-day-8:00 AM light. In person, it looks nice and warm. We think the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bead board</span> is original to the house and Mike did a really great job patching it. And I have to admit, even I, the World's Biggest Drop Ceiling Hater, actually like the ceiling. Yep, things were <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">lookin</span></span>' pretty good! </div><br /><div>Unfortunately, Mike has recently deemed himself "burnt out." He says he doesn't know why. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Hmm</span></span>, might have something to do with the renovating an entire house while working a full-time job while watching two dirt-secreting kids 32 hours a week. But I'm not a doctor.</div><br /><div>Obviously, the important thing here is for Mike to rest and relax til he feels up to getting back to work. He doesn't seem to consider this an option and I gotta say, I get worried sometimes. Maybe some of you can talk some "take care of yourself!" sense into him?</div><br /><div>Surely I can live in coat hell for another couple of weeks. It's a lot nicer than asbestos hell and lead paint hell. </div></div></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-37812469859712747792008-10-28T10:19:00.000-07:002008-10-28T11:25:23.875-07:00Does Anyone Have $545,000 I Can Borrow? No?This house is currently my #1 obsession...<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262263505632331666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SQdQxxe3h5I/AAAAAAAAAUo/aCrvciS8ylc/s400/front.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262264809255230386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SQdR9p2yW7I/AAAAAAAAAUw/OdHj2irahAw/s400/back.jpg" border="0" />It just came on the market in our hometown. A lot this size (28,000 sq. ft.) is practically unheard of in our city, never mind that the house itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for it's architecture. Ladies and gentleman, the George P. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Fernald</span> House or, as I like to call it, my future home:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262265256890414802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SQdSXtbVNtI/AAAAAAAAAU4/RlVVg9n2xqA/s400/foyer.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262265400700408034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SQdSgFKTkOI/AAAAAAAAAVA/8pg8I-r25FY/s400/curved.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262265582867698770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SQdSqryX1FI/AAAAAAAAAVI/bzQHhzvYU7A/s400/mantle.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262265770832971970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SQdS1oAySMI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/Gn6140VKT_A/s400/conservatory.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262265906912236594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SQdS9i8nFDI/AAAAAAAAAVY/AIJ-etp-o6I/s400/paneling.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262266114753815362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SQdTJpN540I/AAAAAAAAAVg/TCfpaI0zu6E/s400/window.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262266508518248338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SQdTgkGqT5I/AAAAAAAAAVo/kVXinUky37g/s400/yard.jpg" border="0" />What kind of person makes it to the tail end of a renovation that tested the every fiber of their being and immediately starts to daydream about another fixer-upper? I'm sick.<br /><br /><div>Funny story about the house, though:</div><br /><div>On Saturday, my husband and I actually met the listing broker to get a look at the house (what can I say, I literally could not resist). At the last second, my son Cullen - the two-year old - asked if he could come with us. Sure.</div><br /><div>So, we get over to the house and meet the broker in the foyer. I am immediately awestruck and in love. With the house, not the broker.</div><br /><div>As we're introducing ourselves and making small talk, I feel something curious inside Cullen's pant leg (he's in my arms). While Mike talks with Mr. Broker, I discreetly peek inside Cullen's jeans, at the ankle, and see - his <em>diaper</em>!?! <em>What the hell</em>? How did that even <em>HAPPEN</em>?</div><br /><div>To makes things even better (worse) he diaper is chock full of <strong>poop and pee</strong>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Yay</span>! All I can think is, "Thank <em>GOD</em> this house smells like crap <em>ALREADY</em>."</div><br /><div>Luckily, Mike decides to check out the cellar first. I follow him down there, pull the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">poopie</span> diaper out of Cullen's pants, roll it up tightly, and tuck it into the waistband of my own jeans, under my shirt. At this point, I am willing to take desperate measures to conceal the incriminating evidence. So, we have a good laugh in the cellar, and go about looking at the house. I'm figuring since Cullen <em>just</em> pooped and peed, we should be good for at least a few minutes.</div><br /><div>We continue touring the house, and it is every bit as gorgeous as I thought it would be. Of course, it is in need of MAJOR rehab, but that was to be expected. Hence the price (yes, $545,000.00 is a pretty good deal around here). I let Cullen run around on his own, within <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">eye shot</span> of course, and he even found a cool secret door here:</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262270493442824242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SQdXIhGt2DI/AAAAAAAAAVw/eBnL9vZUwd0/s400/secret.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>It opens to a closet in the next room. </div><br /><div>All is well until we are ready to leave. Mike looks at Cullen and tries hard to stifle a laugh. Uh oh. That ain't good. </div><br /><div>We say bye to Mr. Broker, get out to the porch and I say to Mike "What was that all about?" Still laughing, he points to Cullen, who now has a huge, telltale pee stain all over the front of his jeans. </div><br /><div>I am SO embarrassed and worried that he got pee on the floor of the house somewhere. Luckily, after a quick check of his socks and shoes, I decide the pee has been contained in his pants. So, we hightail it home, clean the little guy up, and decide we probably aren't cut out for mansion <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">livin</span>' anyway.</div><br /><div>Kid's lucky he's cute :)</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262271617227775570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SQdYJ7h7XlI/AAAAAAAAAV4/yvNVqrRr8JQ/s400/cully.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-75250600911147864392008-10-24T08:31:00.001-07:002008-10-24T09:56:57.008-07:00As an Aside...Why is it that when someone says, "She<span style="font-size:130%;"> <em>just</em></span> had a baby, about three months ago" its perfectly acceptable. But when I say, "I<em> <span style="font-size:130%;">just</span></em><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span>paid that bill, about three months ago" everyone acts like I'm crazy???<br /><br />I'm just kidding. Mostly.<br /><br />I've been thinking about the state of the economy a lot lately. My husband and I bought the <strong>big yellow house</strong> just as the market was beginning to turn, so we got a pretty fair deal. We were also lucky enough to have had equity in the property the day we bought it. Based on the size of the house and lot, we were able to qualify for an equity line right away - even <em>after</em> getting a high <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">LTV</span> first mortgage (we did <em>NOT</em> put 20%, or anything <em>NEAR</em> 20% down). So, even though things SUCK right now, and things especially SUCK for people stuck sinking staggering amounts of money into fixer-uppers, I guess it could be worse.<br /><br />At work, we've been doing a <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">LOT</span></strong> of bankruptcies. These aren't people who just went nuts with their credit cards (well, <em>some</em> of them are). For the most part, these are hardworking, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">home owning</span> people who lost a job, or got sick, or had an ARM that they couldn't refinance. These are proud people who don't even want to tell me why they're calling. I want to tell them not to be embarrassed, that it's not their fault. But I don't, because I don't want to seem presumptuous or nosey.<br /><br />In the face of all this, it's hard for me to blog about home decor. Often, it's even hard for me to read others' blogs on home decor. It feels excessive and frivolous when so many other people have "real" problems to worry about. Hence the complete and utter lack of posts lately.<br /><br />After wrestling with this over the last few days, I've come to one huge, liberating, conclusion: There are <strong>always</strong> gonna be people who have "real" problems (and sometimes, I will even be one of them). There will <strong>always</strong> be economic hardship, violence, disease. And the best thing we can do for ourselves is cling to what makes us happy - family, friends, home, hobbies (<em>including, dare I say it, decorating</em>). If making your home beautiful makes you happy, why NOT do it? Right?Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-86203918979791438062008-10-16T11:58:00.000-07:002008-10-16T12:29:16.943-07:00Quick, Pointless UpdateHere's my <span style="font-size:180%;">new chair</span> (I got it for $140 at Jennifer Furniture in their clearance section - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">wooohoooooo</span>!<strong>*</strong>):<br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257829043974744754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SPePqIfYqrI/AAAAAAAAATE/x2a0Fv73nJo/s400/scroll+beige+wall.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />And, the chair as modeled by <strong>Batman and Robin</strong>:<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257829535556320434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SPeQGvxkPLI/AAAAAAAAATM/o8BUpByb-mQ/s400/chair2.JPG" border="0" />Here's my <span style="font-size:180%;">new mirror</span> (I got it for $10 at a yard sale - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">wooohoooooo</span>!<strong>*</strong>):</div><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257830606374458850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SPeRFE4gVeI/AAAAAAAAATU/kx-T5RNR4EY/s400/mirror1.JPG" border="0" />(<em>I haven't quite mastered the art of getting myself out of the way for mirror shots.</em>)<br /><br />And, a close up of the mirror frame. This is one of those old, plaster mirrors. <em>Very</em> heavy. <em>Very</em> solid. Initially, I was gonna repaint it, but the chippy, old look of it has grown on me.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257835428444900930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SPeVdwfsDkI/AAAAAAAAATc/vLngGXS1UWQ/s400/mirror2.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>*</strong>Very</span><strong> little</strong></span> excites me more than a <span style="font-size:180%;">good bargain</span>. Can you tell?Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-16250065001434357922008-10-09T05:57:00.000-07:002008-10-09T08:43:16.762-07:00Piece by PieceSeeing as we now have a house full of beautiful, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">original</span>, hardwood floors, the project of the moment is area rugs...<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">many</span></strong> of them.<br /><div><div><br /><div><div>Since the floors have been refinished, we've spent a LOT of time trying to decide what the heck to do for rugs. I've been leaning toward something solid or with a fairly plain print. Nothing too busy. I've been looking <em>everywhere</em> and either the color is wrong, the size is wrong, the pattern is wrong or the price wrong. Throughout this rug-searching mission, I have come to one ultimate realization: <span style="font-size:130%;">rugs are really <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">friggin</span>' expensive</span>.</div><br /><div>Area rugs for the living room, dining room and foyer could easily run over $2000. Oh, I could just see it: "<em>Honey, we won't be eating dinner at all this month....but check my new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">dhurri</span>!</em>" Yeah, not gonna fly. </div><br /><div>Desperate and at my wits end, I started flipping through the <strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">flor</span></span></strong> catalog that magically appears in my mailbox every so often. And I have to say, I'm impressed. The prices run the gamut, that's for sure, but <em>several </em>of the patterns I like best are only $9.99 per tile... </div><br /><div>this one is called <em>Finer Things</em> and is currently my #1 choice:<br /></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255174991371632850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SO4hz8E5ANI/AAAAAAAAASc/p8SZHRIyUeU/s400/finer+things1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255175424897112066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SO4iNLFa2AI/AAAAAAAAASk/DxM9emG6Iu4/s400/finer+things2.jpg" border="0" />this one is called <em>Checkered Past</em>:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255176461517532162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SO4jJgy_LAI/AAAAAAAAAS0/N3L42wyEwFA/s400/checkered+past.jpg" border="0" />and this one is called <em>Twill Ride</em>:</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255177590242044594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SO4kLNn4arI/AAAAAAAAAS8/jOcc4983N_U/s400/twill+ride.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>After some quick math, I realized I could get two rugs, both roughly 9' x 9', for about $700.00. This is great a for a lot of reasons, the top two being:</div><br /><div>1. I'll end up with a square shaped rug, which would best fit the room, rather than settle for a standard rectangular rug. </div><br /><div>2. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">flor</span> tiles give us the ability to replace any stained or damaged tiles, which, with two little boys in the house, is priceless.<br /></div><div>So, it looks like we might be going with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">flor</span> for the dining room and living room (not sure about the foyer yet).</div><div></div><div>All in all I think we're off to a good start.</div></div></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-63371703096129726792008-09-30T13:28:00.000-07:002008-10-01T07:27:03.534-07:00A New Low?Many of us decorating geeks have our favorite "movie houses" and find ourselves re-watching certain movies just for the eye candy (<em>not</em> the leading man-type eye candy). Some of us use these houses for inspiration, some try to emulate them completely and others just like to look at them. I've had my own "Top 5" movie houses list for a while. Does that sound pathetic? Guess it depends who you ask. Well anyway, here they are - in no specific order:<br /><div><br /><div><div><div>1. Somethings Gotta Give (duh)</div><br /><div>2. The Door in the Floor (gorgeous house, gorgeous location, gorgeous, simple decor)</div><br /><div>3. What Lies Beneath (again, gorgeous house, gorgeous location, gorgeous traditional decor)</div><br /><div>4. Spanglish (seems like <em>nothing </em>matches and yet it all works)</div><br /><div>5. The Holiday (BOTH HOUSES - so, technically, I guess this is a"Top 6" list)</div><br /><div>Recently, I have seen a movie that I believe may be list-worthy. No, it's not the latest Nancy Meyers movie. And no, it's not Sex and the City either.</div><br /><div>It's Flushed Away. As in, the animated children's movie about a rat who gets flushed down his own toilet. Yes, seriously. Is being jealous of a cartoon British couple unhealthy? Does it even matter? I'm<em> already</em> pathetic, after all.</div><br />Here are some stills from the movie. It's like the white-on-white toned paradise I've always dreamed of:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251921450176969682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SOKSu6oNe9I/AAAAAAAAASM/DgQO-xxbsnk/s400/flushed4.gif" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251922228765061570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SOKTcPGE8cI/AAAAAAAAASU/bn1Fi6CICOo/s400/flushed5.gif" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251920823214951986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SOKSKbA0TjI/AAAAAAAAAR0/htu8IcSmX6k/s400/flushed1.gif" border="0" /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251921001289884050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SOKSUyZMIZI/AAAAAAAAAR8/XY4UQyh6f94/s400/flushed2.gif" border="0" /></div></div></div></div><br /><br />I love how the architecture is very <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">traditional</span> and the decor is semi-modern. I'm a sucker for a good mixture of modern and antique. It just looks so nice and clean.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251921282448226290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__uRW2yxuGTo/SOKSlJyj9_I/AAAAAAAAASE/epG6j9RRNg8/s400/flushed3.gif" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>Seeing dirt all over this beautiful white sofa makes my palms sweat.<br /></p><p>I find myself pushing this movie on my kids just so I can watch it over and over again. </p><p>Why the hell did I just admit that?</p><br /><p></p>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690461761355060979.post-87072355503482146482008-09-30T11:13:00.000-07:002008-09-30T11:15:31.527-07:00All ApologiesSorry for slacking...we have two sick kids right now (not too sick to wear their Batman capes while jumping off furniture, though).<br /><br />Will be back with a new post tomorrow.Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03908732839074241728noreply@blogger.com0