This weekend i was one of THOSE bloggers....

the one's whose partners OK their DIY/honey do/latest idea and get right to it.  Usually when i ask the boyfriend to help me hang or make something, it goes a little like this.

Me: I'd really like to ....insert random DIY idea here....
Him: Yeah, I'll get right on that.
Me: Frowny face

OR

 

Me: Did you see, across the street, they ...insert random DIY project here...
Him: How am i supposed to finish the basement/bathroom/current project if you want me to do that?

OR

 

Me: I really want to ...insert random DIY wish here...
Him: How's it feel to want?
Me/Him mimicking me: Oh, i know exactly how it feels to want, don't you worry.

 

But this weekend-this weekend of glorious Saturday weather-it went a little something like this.

Me: I'd really love it if you built a flowerbox under the garage window.  Don't we have any wood lying around? 
Him: And what would this box look like?
Me: I'm sorry, what now? 
Him: The box, what would it look like?  Just plain?
Me: However you want the box to look, darling.
Him: What color would you paint it?
Me: White?
Him: We have extra tan paint that matches the shed, you could use that.
Me: And we could add white trim to really match the shed?
Him: Let's go, get your painting clothes on.
Me: Woo hoo!

And then there was skipping.




This was early spring last year.  Note the frustrating rate at which the hostas unevenly grow.  But don't you think that window is just calling out for a window box?  And imagine this with stucco, as i have been doing since we built this behemoth.

So while i was basking in the sun and the breeze, enjoying the fact that there are no bees out yet, and painting the trim,

S was constructing the box.

This is what the shed looks like look, so we painted it to match.

Then Lily and I watched as S hung it....

under the watchful and approving eye of the Lady of the Garden, aka creepy garden lady whose partial body we unearthed whilst building the garage.  I propped her there to keep an eye on things. 

This will look so good when i can fill it with flowers!

 Or, apparently until the time comes, gnomes. 

Me: Don't you think it would look great if we built huge flower boxes for the front of the house?

Him: Yeah, I'll get right on that.

 

Sigh.

 

What have you been up to?  Finally feeling like Spring?

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, my romantic home, 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,  power of paint @ domestically speaking, a round tuit

In the kitchen with Moen

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Moen, Incorporated for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

So let me just share something with you about my kitchen.  You've seen it.  You've seen it needs updating.  But have you ever noticed the faucet? 

Actually, let's not blame the faucet-it's not its fault that it barely reaches into the sink.  I suppose the fault lies with the sink, for having its holes on the wrong basin.  One can get a new sink, or one can get a new faucet that could hopefully have a far enough reach.  One can and will definitely do both when the kitchen gets updated.

I'd love one of those sleek high arch faucets, with the pull down sprayer, or maybe one of those ones you just touch and don't actually have to turn on.  Definitely more modern looking than the current situation. 

Have you seen the Kiran Spot Resist one-handle pulldown kitchen faucet?  Meets almost all those requirements.

 

Gorgeous. 

Come on now.  Seriously sleek.

And this?

A finish that resists fingerprints and water spots?  If only my fridge would resist fingerprints, now that would be something.

I love how Moen has something that fits everybody's taste-the sleek modern look like the Kiran or more farmhouse styles for the collected or vintage inspired look. And affordable, too.  Head to your local Lowe's to check out the Kiran and other hardware from Moen.

For more information be sure to follow Moen on Twitter (@Moen) or on Facebook to learn about new products and stay updated. 

what's your kitchen style? 

 

 

 

 

Baby, It's cold outside-Sponsored post

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of QuadraFire for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Could it BE any colder out there?  With that wind chill, i don't really think so.  It's a good time for staying inside, and staying warm by the fire. 

QuadraFire Pellet Stoves are free standing or insert stoves that use recycled materials to form the pellets that  are burned in the stove.  The stove then sends off less carbon emissions into your home, very much reducing your carbon footprint.  Take a look at the graphic to get a better idea.

I've blogged in the past about trying to be as green as i can manage, with our composter and new heating and a/c unit that we got tax credits for, and now the government has extended the tax credit for homeowner's who purchase a pellet stove until December 31st of this year.  It's a 10% tax credit that is good for up to $300...i could do a lot with $300, and i'd rather it be in my pocket rather than anybody else's.

Quadra-Fire is giving away a pen and notebook made of recycled materials to one lucky reader.  I love that this continues to highlight how being eco-friendly is important to this company.  The winner will be chosen on February 28th.

For more information on this popular heating alternative, visit them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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, 

The door is done...

and now we wait for the verdict.  

 

My door came out exactly as i had hoped.

Finally made a snowman wreath. 

With sticks for arms...and cotton balls for snow.  I'm pretty proud of it, and i've been told it's a favorite.

Now for my coworker's doors...

This was the 12 Dogs of Christmas...9 pugs a prancing!

A giant present

A cute tree with some meaningful ornaments

Like what our agency stands for...

And something my in laws need to learn...

She's a MAJOR Flyers fan.

A minimalist approach.

Her door is titled "How to get coal in your stocking."  This poor friend's foster dog has destroyed all of these items...

A shoe, some stuffed animals, her sofa, and you see her affixing the chewed up remote control...i think she may get the sympathy vote!

This is my biggest competition.  It's so stinking cute!  Those antler head bands give it a dimensional look.

This one is super cute, but apparently her engineer husband put it up for her....we're all trying to disqualify her for it.

It's even cuter with the battery operated candles lit.

 

My artist coworker drew that Snoopy, but it's a little too similar to my door.  He was the last one to decorate, so he had lots of ideas to compare with.

 

 

First prize gets a half day off from work, but we've now decided 2nd place gets out at 2, and 3rd place gets out at 3...I'll take it!  I like my chances, but what do you think?

Anybody ever do anything like this at work?  I know Lisa's place goes all out. 

As 2012 comes to a close-this will probably be the last post before a recap of the year-i want to thank you all for reading, for commenting, for lurking, and for just hearing my bloggy voice when i hit the publish button.  You all flippin' rock!


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,