2014 year in review

Man alive, that was a fast year. Looking back, it was one that was hugely successful in the overall feeling of my home. The living room is done, the dining room is done, the sun room is done. Done is ever changing (see: blog years 2010 to current) but this time done felt D.O.N.E.  With things feeling so right, the blog took a back seat. I didn't decorate for any holidays, since who wants to mess with and clutter up D.O.N.E? There were a lot of link ups and traffic that i missed out on. I'm not sure what 2015 will bring with the blog, but beyond here, there will certainly be vacations taken and cats adored.  And if that's all that's done, well that's alright with me.

The done dining room.
 

The (almost) done living room.


Paris, France.


The DIY patio and yard makeover.


The sun room update.


Alaska cruise portion. The not to be missed land portion.


The only way you knew it was fall.


The (fully) done living room.


What makes it all good.


Thank you for reading in 2014. See you next year....
B





end of year wrap ups at domestically speaking, southern hospitality, beyond the picket fence, Currently @ Dearest Love, Random Wednesday @ Because Shanna Said So, sharing is caring: , thrifty treasures @ southern hospitality, travel photo mondays @ travel photo discovery,   , Monthly projects @ Evolution of Style Make it Pretty Mon @ Dedicated House  inspire me mondays t @ domestically speaking,   Before and After @ Thrifty Decor Chick,    Mod Vintage Life, Motivate Me Mon @Keeping it Simple, persia lou,  home stories a-z, nifty thrifty @ Coastal Charm, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, the scoop @ stone gable,  inspire me tues, lil luna, you're gonna love it @ kimsixfix, get your craft on, sugar bee crafts. your designs this time, inspire me weds @ 733, wow us weds @ savvy southern style,  twirl and take a bow @ house on the way, work it weds @ the blissful bee, outdoor weds @ a southern daydreamer, whimsy wednesday, wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, look what i made,  whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, think and make @ houseologie, charm of home, link party palooza @ tatertots and jello, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, open house @ no minimalist here, creativity unleashed @ shaken together,inspiration gallery @ Craftberry Bush, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, my romantic home, jennifer rizzo, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now,  furniture fridays @ mustard seed, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, design it fridays @ finding fabulous, best diy @ 36th ave, overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing, nifty thrifty sundays, under the table and dreaming. inspire me please @ liz marie blog,sunday best @ the girl creative  shaken together, 

Pumpkin Carve Past

Cover your ears...i'm about to say something totally unusual for me. Are you ready? I'm embarrassed. I don't think i can. Deep breathe...here goes...I'm not feeling Halloweenish this year. Say what?!? The girl with the bat tattoo? Not feeling Halloweenish? Yeah, we can probably blame Mexico for that. While everyone was moving onto scarves and boots, i was holding onto my sundresses and flip flops.  I don't know how you guys without seasons do this.  Sunny, hot, and humid in October? Must be summer still. 

I feel myself moving further and further away from seasonal decorating. There is literally one fall related item on display in my home, and that is a pumpkin candle plug in.  The boyfriend is alarmed, as i have bin upon bin stuffed to the brim with witches, bats, ghosts, and pumpkins.

We're not even going to the annual pumpkin carve, as they doubled the price of admission and last year the carved/uncarved ratio was disappointing.  Wasn't worth enduring the traffic the event draws, nor the crowds.  But those that are good, are very very good, and those that aren't carved are wasted. Here are some very very good pumpkins to get you (and maybe me?)  in the spirit!


Shell of a pumpkin.


So pretty and not at all traditional for Halloween.


 Whooo loves this as much as i do?


Bed bugs...don't you find the unknown or unseen the scariest??


This is still one of my all time favorites.


Creepy cobra.


Headless horseman with well planned lighting.

What's your favorite of this bunch? Any other you thought i should have included in the roundup? Check out 2010, 2011, and 2012 when i was willing to brave the crowds.  Happy Halloween, all.
B


Currently @ Dearest Love, Random Wednesday @ Because Shanna Said So, sharing is caring: , thrifty treasures @ southern hospitality, travel photo mondays @ travel photo discovery,   , Monthly projects @ Evolution of Style Make it Pretty Mon @ Dedicated House  inspire me mondays t @ domestically speaking,   Before and After @ Thrifty Decor Chick,    Mod Vintage Life, Motivate Me Mon @Keeping it Simple, persia lou,  home stories a-z, nifty thrifty @ Coastal Charm, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, the scoop @ stone gable,  inspire me tues, lil luna, you're gonna love it @ kimsixfix, get your craft on, sugar bee crafts. your designs this time, inspire me weds @ 733, wow us weds @ savvy southern style,  twirl and take a bow @ house on the way, work it weds @ the blissful bee, outdoor weds @ a southern daydreamer, whimsy wednesday, wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, look what i made,  whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, think and make @ houseologie, charm of home, link party palooza @ tatertots and jello, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, open house @ no minimalist here, creativity unleashed @ shaken together,inspiration gallery @ Craftberry Bush, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, my romantic home, jennifer rizzo, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now,  furniture fridays @ mustard seed, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, design it fridays @ finding fabulous, best diy @ 36th ave, overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing, nifty thrifty sundays, under the table and dreaming. inspire me please @ liz marie blog,sunday best @ the girl creative  shaken together, 

Twenty Thirteen

2013.  Unflippinbelievable.  Where does the time go?  Let's take a look back on the year that was, and see if we actually accomplished anything in those 12 months.

The debrownification of the living room reached an all time high when i found this Missoni ottoman on clearance.


Then i bought the realest looking fake plant to add some life and greens, and i'm happy to say the plant is still thriving.  Ha. 

Then we spent a glorious two weeks in Aruba gorging ourselves on delicious food and ideal scenery.


We installed these ikea shelves to brighten up the kitchen and finally make some good use of this big wall.

A little kitten made an unexpected home with us.

I took my maiden voyage with rub'n'buff and transformed this mirror into something i like much better.


The basement made actual visual progress

Created my most favorite tablescape of the year.


Enjoyed the holidays in a winter wonderland relaxed sort of way.

And lost a door decorating contest (boo hiss!!)


One of my resolutions this year is to actually take the time to photo edit, and i was all prepared to do so with this post-kicking it off on a successful start and all that-but for some reason no new pictures will load.  There was even a collage, people!  Talk about fancy.

The basement is 75% done, and there better be a reveal in the next few months or the boyfriend will have to deal with one pissed off partner.  Prepare to hear about the dining room again, for we have to hang the marbled papers, rearrange some art and install the new lighting that i won. 

And maybe-just maybe-we can seriously entertain the idea of a kitchen update after the basement is complete.  Here's to hoping!  And here's hoping it all looks pretty in pictures!

What do you hope to accomplish this year?


Craftomaniac, Motivate Me Mon @ Keeping it Simple, DIY Showoff, Met Monday, Anything Goes, home stories a-z, nifty thrifty @ Coastal Charm, Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, tabletop tues, lil luna, get your craft on, sugar bee crafts. sugar and spice @ 733, wow us weds @savvy southern style, wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, 52 mantles, fall into fall, Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Creek Cottage, vintage thingy thurs @ the colorado lady, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, hooking up @ house of hepworths, open house @ no minimalist here, share awesomeness @ 36th ave, tutorials and tidbits, simply link @ simply designing, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, happy hour @ Craftberry Bush, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, feature yourself fri @ Fingerprints on the fridge, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now, free for all @ 5days5ways, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, frugalicious friday @ finding fabulous, potpourri @ 2805, thrifty things fri @ the thrifty groove, show and tell fri @ my romantic home, overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing, nifty thrifty sundays, under the table and dreaming., shaken together, seasonal sundays @ the tablescaper, 

Born a Travelin' Tree

I'm noticing a lot of bloggers sharing the ornaments on their trees...and i like sharing...and i love my ornaments. My turn! My turn!

The tree, being relegated to the basement this year, is not getting its usual amount of love.  It's not been lit more than three times, it doesn't provide the nice glow and holiday feel while i watch tv, sip my wine, or read by its side.  Poor thing.  Let's give it some love.

Some of you know the boyfriend and i have been together for 15 years (just celebrated that big one last Tuesday!) but we only started collecting ornaments of our travels in recent years.  Before that, i clearly never had my own tree (being Jewish, and all) so these souvenirs do not go back that far, nor are they from my own travels. 

And this globe was the one that started it all.  We took a long weekend in Mystic, Connecticut and this old looking globe spoke to me.  To my love of travelling, to my desire to do more of it, and of course, would serve as a reminder of this mini trip.

I am suuuper obsessed with these smores ornaments. In addition to this Statue of Liberty, there are about 5 more.  And growing.  Keep 'em coming, in laws!

Hawaii, one of my absolutely favorite places we've traveled to, and Sedona, also one of the most beautiful places we've been.

Brugges!  My love of Brugge is like none else. Though we only spent 2 days there, it has made a magical, lasting impression.

Our recent trip to Aruba, with a divi divi tree hand painted by a local artist.

 

Amsterdam, symbolizing the entirety of Holland we traversed and my 30th birthday fabulousity extravaganza.  Behind it is an ornament from Tenerife, Spain.

 

Ok, this i asked for last year.  Like the globe, it reminds me of what i love to do.

We actually won a trip from a local radio station to see The Who in concert in London.  How crazy is that? 

And of course, a little love for Chanukah, on this big 'ol Christmas tree.

 

I asked for a manatee ornament this year, so we can have something to remember when we crossed "swimming with manatees" off the bucket list. 

As much as i love the themed trees that look very magazine friendly, i'll relive our travel memories any day.  What about you?  Multiple trees with different looks?  Random ornaments or single look?

I'm linking with Blah Blah Blahger's Tales from the Tree party, Traditions @ Jennifer Rizzo, Craftomaniac, Motivate Me Mon @ Keeping it Simple, DIY Showoff, Met Monday, Anything Goes, home stories a-z, nifty thrifty @ Coastal Charm, Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, tabletop tues, lil luna, get your craft on, sugar bee crafts. sugar and spice @ 733, wow us weds @savvy southern style, wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, 52 mantles, fall into fall, Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Creek Cottage, vintage thingy thurs @ the colorado lady, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, hooking up @ house of hepworths, open house @ no minimalist here, share awesomeness @ 36th ave, tutorials and tidbits, simply link @ simply designing, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, happy hour @ Craftberry Bush, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, feature yourself fri @ Fingerprints on the fridge, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now, free for all @ 5days5ways, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, frugalicious friday @ finding fabulous, potpourri @ 2805, thrifty things fri @ the thrifty groove, show and tell fri @ my romantic home, overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing, nifty thrifty sundays, under the table and dreaming., shaken together, seasonal sundays @ the tablescaper, 

What do Ikea and milkglass have in common?

They're both lightening up my kitchen!

Huzzah! I'm so glad this came out as well as it did in my head (b/c you know sometimes that just does not happen!)  Happily, this had already been my plan before the May issue of Country Living came out, this just solidified that it was a wise decision.

Initially i had thought this would be more storage than display (attempting to free up some cabinet space here) but the boyfriend said he didn't trust the heavy bowls and other items i was planning on putting there. 

So instead i took all my whites from my dining room closet, made more room in there, and lightened and brightened all up in here.   It's the perfect modern yet classic improvement.

Yep, there's a lot of tweaking and adding to this display.  I just can't stop buying more whites!  If we de-soffit, i want to add some up above the cabinets, so you see, it's very necessary and completely justified that i continue down this path.  (Hope S is buying this...)

The order of the day was de-theme, de-coffee, but not rid completely.

Don't you just love all the ridgey, bumpy, hobnaily goodness??

This au-natural shot is for perspective.  I sit on the right hand side there, and being 5'3 means nothing hits me in the head.  The boyfriend, at 6'3, would probably be a little less comfortable there. 

In addition to the theme of de-theme, the mission was also to sleekify. 

Sleekify one.

Sleekify two. 

Can you believe for four years, all that was on this wall was that coffee poster?  Talk about wasted space!

Yowza.

Themey ruffley before.  Yes, those are coffee mugs in greens.  In my defense (because i feel one is necessary) there weren't many light colored curtain options and this is one hella dark space. 

Prettiness.  Brightness.  Sleekness. 

And also, sneakiness.  Cats on tables.  Not allowed.

The less dreamy side of things. 

Materials:

2 Enje roller blinds in white

4 Ekby Mossby (7.5 as opposed to 11 deep) shelves and 2 bjarnum connecting brackets-this was better on the budget and was more customizable for the room. 

2 sets of bjarnum end brackets found in clearance section, which inspired the whole project.

Operation make-do until realistic dream kitchen?  Success!  I really think it's the littlest project with the biggest outcome we've done in quite a while.  Whadya think?

Find me here: copycat party @ debbie doos, before and after party, thrifty treasures @ southern hospitality, mod mix monday,  Craftomaniac, Motivate Me Mon @ Keeping it Simple, Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter,  DIY Showoff, Met Monday, Anything Goes, home stories a-z,  Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, tabletop tues, lil luna, sugar bee crafts. sugar and spice @ 733, wow us weds @ savvy southern style,  wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Creek Cottage, vintage thingy thurs @ the colorado lady, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, hooking up @ house of hepworths, open house @ no minimalist here, share awesomeness @ 36th ave, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, feature yourself fri @ Fingerprints on the fridge, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now, Catch as Catch Can @ My Repurposed life, free for all @ 5days5ways, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, Addicts Anonymous @ A2D, frugalicious friday @ finding fabulous, potpourri @ 2805, thrifty things fri @ the thrifty groove, refresh your nest @ making lemonade, show and tell fri @ my romantic home, furniture fri @ miss mustard seed, overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing