Such a little thing, such a little thing

But the difference it made was grave. 

You may remember my kitchen is a dark, dark place that has had few updates. Those updates were meant to brighten and sleekify. Sleekify meaning to modernize and generally improve the space until we actually "do" the kitchen, and even then it isn't going to be a complete overhaul. This means to me, then, that even the slightest improvement will have a big impact.

So for about two years we've been sitting on this kick ass faucet that we got at a tiny kitchen and bath store that was going out of business. And if you've ever gone to a sale like that, you know people aren't messing around and needless to say most pieces were gone.  But i spied a faucet i had only ever dreamed of owning since these things cost a pretty penny.  Problem was this piece was a display piece, not for sale-do you know that means it's not a usable piece?  The faucet was only the pretty parts, not the parts that one needs for use, like tubing and connectory...things.  And usually they are not for sale for this reason. 

I'm sure you know where this is going.  We bought the faucet and were told we could contact the company who would send us parts, which we might have to pay for.  Only we didn't have to pay for them, they sent them for nothing.

Kitchen Faucets by Other Metro elkayusa.com

It's the Elkay Arezzo faucet, priced at 375, on sale from 578, also on houzz for same price of 578.

Now here's the part where i get giddy over the fact that this gorgeousness now lives in my home for only sixty dollars.  Yes, sixty.  60. 6, and then a 0.  And then a...nothing. 

 Let's actually change this from "lives in my home" (as it was for 2 years, wrapped up in towels and waiting to be installed) and actually say "installed and ready for use".

Little things exciting me in this picture-Filtrete water system, push button garbage disposal...

 












 happy little rug.

Speaking of little kitchen contents, i can't stop buying have enhanced the milk glass open shelving by a few pieces.

And that is all.  

What little thing is making a big impact for you these days?  Faucet?  Decor? Infant child?

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Home Sweet Gnome

Gnome on the range.  Gnome is where the heart is.  Gnome Improvement.  Gnome de plume.  Grand Slam Gnome Run.  Hmmm....

I love me some gnomes.  Not, like, the hideous ones, but the super cute kind.  I am not ashamed to say i have a plethora of garden gnomes, and they are super talented.   They do more than just garden or sit on a rock.  These guys play the guitar, and the horn, and they are well traveled.

And thanks to a sweet surprise from the boyfriend, now we can rock a house flag declaring our gnome love.

Cute right?  This got me looking for other ways to declare my interest in these little wee men.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Rose on Pinterest

Ca-ute.

Source: society6.com via Allie on Pinterest

Reason number 267 for getting an iphone...

Source: imadeyouabeard.com via Allison on Pinterest

Wordplay!  Loves it!

Source: kikareichert.com.br via Sandra on Pinterest

Whimsy!

Source: etsy.com via thecapeonthecorner on Pinterest

etsy seller BirchangelPinatas
Gnome pinata! 


etsy seller AllthatisCounted


etsy seller LALAdexPRESS

Gnome needlepoint, and card, which i would totally frame.

wayfair

I have a special place in my heart for the Roaming Gnome, particularly because of the role he plays on The Amazing Race.  And because he's British.  Shouldn't all gnomes have an English accent? 

In compiling this list, it appears that some gnomes are creepy and downright scary.  Zombie gnomes!  Gnomes feasting on flamingos!  Why, why??!!  Just be glad you didn't have to see those.

Come on, hit me with your best gnome/home phrase!

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It's Electric.

The kitchen. A space none to seen on the blog.  A space next on the list (at least, my list!) A space i stare off into during dinner, imagining the could be's and the should be's. So for sure that's where i'd focus if i won Barn Light Electric's annual B.L.O.G giveaway.  Let's take a few moments to lose ourselves in that fantasy, shall we?

Thankfully, the kitchen needs nothing more than granite, back splash, paint job and lighting. 

And lighting does it need. 

With our dark cherry cabinets, it's well, it's dark.  The plan is to install pot lights-instant solution to cave like dwelling-and update the fan.

Well hello fan update, where've you been hiding?  You're so sleek and retro modern.  I like you, ball ceiling fan.

With all those pot lights, we wouldn't be relying on the fan as the only method of illumination, so this silver sleek fella would be a nice option.  This guy's totally customizable, as many of their products are.  You could choose all silver, like i would, or other blade colors to match your space.  Light or without light options, too.

Ooh, this sphere pendant is pretty and perfect for above the sink. Actually it's a fabulous counterpart to the ball fan, don't you think? Great, now i'll never get this combo out of my head! 

Look at this raindrop light!

It's like a tiny tear.
Like those i'd shed if someone else won this gorgeousness.

And these would be full on waterworks and tears of joy if they told me i'd won. 

Thankfully, even if i don't get picked (why, Barn Light Electric, why??) the prices aren't so outrageous that you couldn't afford to beautify your space with some of these anyway.  But let's keep the fantasy alive while we still can.

Who's gonna join me?

1. Look around online at Barn Light Electric and pick lights you’d love to own
2. Feature your lighting picks on your personal blog, and link to the lights if you can!
3. Copy/Paste these rules at the bottom of your blog article
4. Once your personal post is up, you must email your blog link to: marketing@barnlightelectric.com to be qualified to win – the contest ends July 2nd, 2012
5. Don’t have a blog? Find out how you can enter by visiting our website or read these Official Rules

For those that do not have a blog but want to enter, please email the following information to marketing@barnlightelectric.com:

• First & Last Name
• Mailing Address
• City,State, Zip
• Valid Email Address

And i quote

For the gallery wall, i'm definitely feeling typography involvement.  Maybe some song lyrics or just a nice saying.  This is when pinterest and etsy come in extra handy.

OR  this scandalous idea, guaranteed to give you a one up on your intrusive in laws who pop over all the time more than a little occasionally.

From Daily Candy's website: Inspired by Yves Klein’s abstract expressionism and Andy Warhol’s performance art, Love Is Art founder Jeremy Brown has hit upon a sophisticated approach to expressing your love. Couples strip down to their birthday suits and roll around in specially formulated black paint while doing the deed. The end result is a graphic work of art that wouldn’t look out of place on a gallery wall. Brown spent months researching materials and, after looking high and low, came across a hypoallergenic cotton canvas and nontoxic pigment that won’t irritate sensitive parts.

How's that for personalized artwork, eh?  Eh?

via pinterest, pinterest, scenicglory, tessyla, pennywishes, capow, tenderbeasts, handz, lovesugar

wop wop

my bubble is burst. 

you know i'm on this quest to debrownify the living brown.  debrownify, to me, means adding white.  just go with it.

i've never been happy with the hand me down/borrowed end tables.  thought of spray painting them (white, of course.) they're yellowish and knotty.  knot for me.

found these from ikea.

they're white. and silver. and modern. check.

S informs me the big one is the size of our ottomans.  Not gonna cut it people, not gonna cut it. 

Boo, hiss.

What's bursting your decor bubble these days?  Let's commiserate.

wishing for window boxes

I'd love for S to build us some simple window boxes to bring a little pizzazz and color to the ol' cape.   Nothing frou frou.  Just an extra bit of interest.  Sorta like these....

traditional exterior design by minneapolis architect Charlie Simmons - Charlie & Co. Design

traditional exterior design by other metros Witt Construction

traditional kids design

What are you dreaming about these days?

1-3, 4 , 5-6, 7-9

I wanna see the world, I do

You're in for two more weeks of silence, my friends, i hope you can stand it.  For tonight, S and i leave for our Spanish adventure.  Sure, there are lots of things i'm nervous about (our car rental better be the automatic we requested, and my GPS better pick up the signal with the new map we loaded) but i'm excited about the adventure that will undoubtedly be!

Enjoy these perfect travel photos and see you when we get back!

This is hysterical!  One day i WILL be one of these people!

Good idea for a project, no?

love.

This could easily have another landmark.

Mark my words!

You KNOW i love this one!   

  There's still some time for packing and rearranging, so what are your best travel tips?  How to take an artsy photo?  How to safely bring home a bottle of wine?  DO TELL!

I'll Melt with you

Saw this on Man Vs. Food-a place called Melt in Cleveland, Ohio makes this humongous grilled cheese sandwich. Fancy cheese style.  I love me some grilled cheese sandwiches, as basic a food as that is.  However, i feel like i can never order out something that i can make (and i can't make much!)  so therefore i only order "fancy" grilled cheese.  Fancy to me means more than just American or Cheddar cheese.  And bacon.  Bacon makes all things fancy, don't you think?  The cape on the corner's no fail strategy:  When in doubt, wrap it in bacon.

Maybe Melt has already thought of that...if not, they very well should!

That's 5 pounds of cheese right there! 

Directly from their site:

"The Parmageddon-2 potato & cheese pierogi, fresh napa vodka kraut, grilled onions, sharp cheddar"-ok, i could do without the kraut, but pierogi!  

"Big Popper-fresh jalapeno peppers, cheddar & herbed cream cheese, beer battered, mixed berry preserves"

"The Cheeses-american, sharp cheddar, provolone, pepper-jack, havarti, swiss, muenster, smoked gouda, blue cheese, feta, herbed cream cheese, goat cheese"-this is the one featured on the show. see, fancy!

Have any of you guys eaten there?  Know someone who has?  Seen the episode on TV at least?  Repulsed at the number of calories that must be in that behemoth of a sandwich?

Um, yeah, i have no association with this place, i am merely daydreaming of big ass fancy grilled cheese sandwiches.  Image from Melt Bar & Grilled.



Cupid, draw back your bow

I've been hoarding Valentine images, and today is the day to the share them.

all images we heart it, last image kurt halsey

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!