tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80714413192244308982024-02-21T17:38:57.738-08:00The Bungalow ProjectBig ideas for a small house.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-79254139044944110012013-05-02T20:41:00.000-07:002013-05-02T20:41:05.591-07:00The Pinterest FlopHi Everyone,<br />
Just wanted to quickly share something with you. I get so excited to find a good idea on Pinterest that I think I can actually manage to accomplish at home. One of these ideas was to start my garden seeds inside. Someone had pinned the brilliant idea to start the seeds in ice cream cone cups, then you can just plant them in the ground and they will safely decompose...no muss, no fuss!<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/561050066048697096/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="642" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/550x/7c/a3/09/7ca309c245bfc762411e156183b2c7d9.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://homediypins.com/2013/02/16/start-seeds-in-ice-cream-cones-and-plant-in-to-ground-how-clever-biodegradable/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">homediypins.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/dragunette/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">dragunette</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Is it just me who has butchered this? You do have to water the seeds, correct?
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So, the answer is yes, you DO have to water them and when you do it turns into a disgusting, moldy disaster as shown above. That is a box of ice cream cone cups sitting in my window sill. Moldy, wilting, soggy, dilapidated cone cups that constantly tip over and spill. <br />
But hey...the seeds have sprouted right?! Ha ha. Thanks Pinterest, love ya!<br />
Have a great weekend:)<br />
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<span style="background-color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">-Jess xoxo</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-57851384295301899822013-04-23T19:25:00.000-07:002013-04-23T19:27:27.918-07:00Sister's Garden and BloomHello everyone!<br />
It has been nothing but rain here in the Midwest for days. I'm so over it! We did have a tiny taste of what the beauty of spring will be when we enjoyed a few lovely days a couple of weeks ago. I even got my spring/summer clothes out of storage and put some winter sweaters to rest. Small house = small closets, so, I have to switch off:) In the name of warm weather to come I want to share some photos from the Sister's Garden and Bloom Spring Open House in Kalona, Iowa that I went to the weekend before last. I wanted to post them sooner, but I am still so busy. I'll explain why more in another post. Anywhoo...we had so much fun! If you haven't been to Sister's, you must go to this lovely farm house store in the beauty of Amish country in Kalona, IA.<br />
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There are two houses FULL of great antiques, uniques and flea market finds.<br />
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That's my son Evan above having a blast and even better...they had a really fun huge sandbox in the house for kids and mom was able to shop in peace!:)<br />
Also, around every corner were goodies and treats much to Evan's delight!<br />
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It was a really fun day and one of the coolest things I saw was this glass house made of lots of different old windows. I have seen these on Pinterest and pinned them on my boards, but to see it in person was awesome! I have to do one at my house. Maybe a less elaborate front door, but I think it would make a really cool greenhouse. Here's their blog if you wanna check it out <a href="http://www.sistersgardeniowa.blogspot.com/">http://www.sistersgardeniowa.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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Another project I guess:) Noah will be thrilled (wink wink).<br />
Have a great week!<br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">-Jess xoxo</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-54082286060312074092013-03-11T21:11:00.002-07:002013-03-11T21:13:54.065-07:00Little Projects and Simple Things That Make Me HappyHi Everyone!<br />
It's been a bit longer writing to you than I was wanting, but I've been busy, which is good! I've been surprisingly happy lately and I attribute that to a few new things happening in my life. First...I got a new job as a design director for custom cabinet/furniture building company and the best part is, I work 20 hours per week. That was my choice and probably one of the best I've made in a while. I can be involved in projects with clients and have my time at home to work on the little things that make me happy. Let me show you what I mean:) <br />
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I went to a craft fair of local Iowa artists and found the sweetest little coin purse. It came in so many colors with a little removable felt flower. Here's my color combo of choice. Love.<br />
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Another small hill climbed; I finally finished the seating area in the "finished basement". I use quotes here because though the floors are painted and some white block wall is still exposed. We have been practically living down there all winter. I'm surprised how much we use our new family room. So I finally got that vintage sofa complete...take a look.<br />
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Remember what that sofa looked like when I bought it?<br />
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New upholstery in a light grey with cream contrast piping did a body good. I had to attempt to finish the bottom strip of upholstery since it was attached to the sofa itself. I used upholstery tacks to finish it and I really like it!<br />
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The new bathroom in the basement I have showed you before but I finally got the backsplash tiled. A soft green glass and stone mosaic. Comes in a 12x12 inch sheet so it was easy to do myself.<br />
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Here was the before<br />
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Just a couple more things that have made my day. Nothing is more fun than a good vintage score. Like this chair I found for $15. I love Danish Modern. So simple, but useful. Just like my bungalow home. Check it out.<br />
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The fabric needs a lift, it's a bit stained. Nothing a cleaning won't take care of. But, I imagine it someday in a really hip pattern like the little chevron coin purse or something. <br />
Who knows what I'll find.<br />
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Finally, last but certainly not least. My longing for a second child has been somewhat quenched by non other than, Sunny the cat. Our new buddy and his favorite spot is in my bed in the sunshine. Haha. Kinda like me I guess:)<br />
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Have a great week! Thanks for reading:)<br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>-Jess xoxo</em></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-79611207714533963342013-01-08T12:41:00.000-08:002013-01-08T12:43:49.534-08:00New Roof/Skylight RevealHi Everyone,<br />
Again, it's been awhile. I still can't seem to get myself back into the blogging groove that I enjoyed so much "pre-cancer". But I do miss my old life and maybe blogging again will reveal a glimmer of what once was and give myself at least a little bit of normalcy. So...on that note, what I would normally work on would be one of the few loves in my life...my house. I'll show you what we have been up to. The roof needed redone so badly it was a must that it get done immediately. I'm talking, we had buckets in the eaves to catch the drips, bad! So, I have gotten some random messages from you peeps wondering what color of roof we did and I can now reveal (drumroll...), it's black. The "shake" style with the random width shingles. I guess that aspect isn't as visible, but, I love it!<br />
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So, we didn't get our dream dormers in the end because the money we had saved ended up in the pocket of the University of Iowa hospital, so we opted for skylights instead. I only did skylights on one side of the roof, the side you don't see when you pull up to the house. I actually don't care for the outside look of skylights, but it was a must that we get more light into the upstairs. I think we accomplished the light the dormers would have given, without compromising the bungalow style as you pull up to the house. Do you remember the little cut and paste pic I had posted a while back of what a dormer would have looked like. </div>
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Woulda been great huh? Oh well, things happen and this will do. For now, I'm going back upstairs to keep gutting it. Check out all of the original ugly paneling I have to take down...gross. </div>
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But in the end I really hope one of my dream pinterest pics can come true and maybe the space could turn into the master suite with the walk in closet of my dreams yet! </div>
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Maybe a little something like this perhaps...</div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/32299322299274303/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/183521753536742134_qH5uxFQy_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.hometalk.com/576544/attic-closet/photo/113125" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">hometalk.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/noica/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Jessica</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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A girl can dream, right?!</div>
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Toodles, back to work.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">-Jess xoxo</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-3875753684656959562012-10-23T14:38:00.003-07:002012-10-23T14:38:43.459-07:00The Gossip Girl Fashion ShowSince I ended my last post talking about one of my fav shows Gossip Girl, I may as well continue the moment. If I knew how to sew I would totally whip up my own clothes. I have, in the past, sketched clothes I wish I had, but can never find in stores. Hey! maybe I should learn to sew. <br />
Anyway, in honor of the fashion show on GG last night, let me just run down my top most memorable fashion moments that got talked about the next day at work:) I guess, for me, Serena must have the best fashion since Blair did not make the cut.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicR4qNtcBm9GU8CE1Y3HPjL06OSaOn_3fTjhyphenhyphenAs7sgLWjn4cdZz0i62ULmCGZFJsj_FXq_Z5dcxs56e8xaeXS3xtCXidS06nC5En4dz2oHt6si1zWnvIpTKakNelF4m-UvQh8KCCvJ2Tw0/s1600/Serena1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicR4qNtcBm9GU8CE1Y3HPjL06OSaOn_3fTjhyphenhyphenAs7sgLWjn4cdZz0i62ULmCGZFJsj_FXq_Z5dcxs56e8xaeXS3xtCXidS06nC5En4dz2oHt6si1zWnvIpTKakNelF4m-UvQh8KCCvJ2Tw0/s320/Serena1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
The Pinochio hat with the little feather. I...must....have.....one...... (even though it was last fall)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xhH0N5GQNX5HeuS-HXA2R1hTi1wWYKttIRmX-Ze-WT8i-JLAgk3RncM-LfpUf0OHICkxhh4wXc1hJQtpUQkhIEJEIUcyj-jtPM49EQB87SSQYAqClOfevZg7e-mRn12N5UHnoKgKh14K/s1600/Serena2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xhH0N5GQNX5HeuS-HXA2R1hTi1wWYKttIRmX-Ze-WT8i-JLAgk3RncM-LfpUf0OHICkxhh4wXc1hJQtpUQkhIEJEIUcyj-jtPM49EQB87SSQYAqClOfevZg7e-mRn12N5UHnoKgKh14K/s1600/Serena2.jpg" /></a></div>
I know, it reminds me of the 80's too. Which is why it's so cool! Sorry for the small pics.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-jt-ShrlfMjkQ9jPAcTOZCWWTHeyZ34gs9rW9A2GltQ4bcR-T0DbaoXE-qbS-Fxnrm5_iNRgT_QwukTWgXgahXdGLqfIupUvcmXNwg5gP2mAXV71LVp9rssL-s2LIImdwdCa0JxBo3rb/s1600/Serena3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-jt-ShrlfMjkQ9jPAcTOZCWWTHeyZ34gs9rW9A2GltQ4bcR-T0DbaoXE-qbS-Fxnrm5_iNRgT_QwukTWgXgahXdGLqfIupUvcmXNwg5gP2mAXV71LVp9rssL-s2LIImdwdCa0JxBo3rb/s640/Serena3.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
If I were going to a ball...and had Serena's boobs:) I think this is a Jenny Packham dress but I'm not 100% on that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdx9OBu9JYl6atC0jkBo5PtHkjswqLEC9ZupX2tNNolN8KY4B4kE2cAF-A-YEr-76bNqCSDmQp8bBkfYNNBaeHS9BALidmBAFPw6Mr46oiM5fLevzGcIqcs5_OhOIawi_veSytlsPCCjCK/s1600/Serena4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdx9OBu9JYl6atC0jkBo5PtHkjswqLEC9ZupX2tNNolN8KY4B4kE2cAF-A-YEr-76bNqCSDmQp8bBkfYNNBaeHS9BALidmBAFPw6Mr46oiM5fLevzGcIqcs5_OhOIawi_veSytlsPCCjCK/s320/Serena4.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>
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Just for be-bopping around Paris in what's called the "cage dress". Loving the hat too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aczKcuZrgpQjWxZ0v8BPvN2wGRar4rU8KP5waA_zsoSfbtAuCzRUL7DZV2SkGi7KfIW5CXU9oqkgA1n7BbHdL8XODlR4p1W_PYFBiaJGbtoaCbNYht5EnT-uOgWJqJ_H_NTvqkhd-w-9/s1600/Serena5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aczKcuZrgpQjWxZ0v8BPvN2wGRar4rU8KP5waA_zsoSfbtAuCzRUL7DZV2SkGi7KfIW5CXU9oqkgA1n7BbHdL8XODlR4p1W_PYFBiaJGbtoaCbNYht5EnT-uOgWJqJ_H_NTvqkhd-w-9/s320/Serena5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The backwards suit. And not the weird Celine Dion kind from the late 90's!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeOlB8UNv9UTVXq9FDFoy6i3pg08754NhwVhsJOSDu4FaVdn8BbFExKk3zidSQIPcmNQFvnke_4_e_hyphenhyphenCw3qTDbGBGFnSrkn7Synx6S5iv-ZOtG8bmgBCWsCjFP-Y_3oP7z-S7HjBBoM-/s1600/Serena6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeOlB8UNv9UTVXq9FDFoy6i3pg08754NhwVhsJOSDu4FaVdn8BbFExKk3zidSQIPcmNQFvnke_4_e_hyphenhyphenCw3qTDbGBGFnSrkn7Synx6S5iv-ZOtG8bmgBCWsCjFP-Y_3oP7z-S7HjBBoM-/s320/Serena6.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Serena's high waisted coral pants. The whole ensemble was cool, but I don't know that I would jump up and buy those pants, I just loved them in the moment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhui7814zCNllRoQss9oYXk_s_YvFTuQxP5_AgL9Hs3VktwLZrUSD7wDzACn9EIjz0V0VsIIiml8WZVChhAT3LMr1s_1jZoh39JxbOAepbeks0g4V8Vc71R7jbs2fSEDRINcPdcUDxS5g34/s1600/Serena7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhui7814zCNllRoQss9oYXk_s_YvFTuQxP5_AgL9Hs3VktwLZrUSD7wDzACn9EIjz0V0VsIIiml8WZVChhAT3LMr1s_1jZoh39JxbOAepbeks0g4V8Vc71R7jbs2fSEDRINcPdcUDxS5g34/s320/Serena7.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Serena's gray lace dress. Amazing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTin24GylVUWyrJ8TiP3T86_L0KojpKqCGkyOUsaB_dDPBwBHCzb5rPYOf-oVYlt8cVjQbrnpSe6qbCkKZhNgESrf1u_lyb2MpVh6_9I3zA8Au1mU7kYQJD1tsmBl1DGJWGJZgP6WuDeA/s1600/Lilybib1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTin24GylVUWyrJ8TiP3T86_L0KojpKqCGkyOUsaB_dDPBwBHCzb5rPYOf-oVYlt8cVjQbrnpSe6qbCkKZhNgESrf1u_lyb2MpVh6_9I3zA8Au1mU7kYQJD1tsmBl1DGJWGJZgP6WuDeA/s320/Lilybib1.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
Other memorable pieces (for me) usually include Serena's mom Lily's jewelry. She wears these massive necklaces that I love, but I don't think many people can pull off.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdK3tjzwX_UYct3A1HoRyrsFoEcNTtldW-cZwJYJAEr0E9aAjN3sqU8W8Ax9o1w25PEvdw_T4CAkwPrxtweGFn_Li3oRJsLbJEXLvTxL-6GvGuGhUzyeHkYsoDWKJPK_SZHtB2u21Mugz/s1600/lilybib2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdK3tjzwX_UYct3A1HoRyrsFoEcNTtldW-cZwJYJAEr0E9aAjN3sqU8W8Ax9o1w25PEvdw_T4CAkwPrxtweGFn_Li3oRJsLbJEXLvTxL-6GvGuGhUzyeHkYsoDWKJPK_SZHtB2u21Mugz/s320/lilybib2.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
I love this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekrDDiYD67raZioS9ddyaG8cKRX_0GsItFMkC3zHJ80Z4qdjP3R-FU-O1yTpdMK3NYKpxGsyF7N4P4ANv7IMxWlWaqURlW_Y0hwi-of2bnwO28y-9jcAcy__61F2qnWEiP7-7ndDsK_97/s1600/lilybib3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekrDDiYD67raZioS9ddyaG8cKRX_0GsItFMkC3zHJ80Z4qdjP3R-FU-O1yTpdMK3NYKpxGsyF7N4P4ANv7IMxWlWaqURlW_Y0hwi-of2bnwO28y-9jcAcy__61F2qnWEiP7-7ndDsK_97/s320/lilybib3.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
And this. But let me just add 1 more thing that I love on the show, it's weird but I have always loved Lily's pale pink Gucci glasses. If I wore glasses I would rock these too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjW2_-Ir0Q7JLpYIW8TxViXOeRzSIi9b7T9O_bwP6_OqrbjJF5EHjbueU__lJcfVdyrTNVxRB0o1CgABWsBRQz3zIuAT7Qlx3OO-CCJDqxhCx5D1LSgPprlMXFVJXcW5WJjZ0Od0SzZwE/s1600/Lilyglasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjW2_-Ir0Q7JLpYIW8TxViXOeRzSIi9b7T9O_bwP6_OqrbjJF5EHjbueU__lJcfVdyrTNVxRB0o1CgABWsBRQz3zIuAT7Qlx3OO-CCJDqxhCx5D1LSgPprlMXFVJXcW5WJjZ0Od0SzZwE/s320/Lilyglasses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ok! thank you, enough about Gossip Girl. I'm waiting for the furniture store to get my new chair in. I will unvail it as soon as I get it. Still waiting!<br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">xoxo - Jess</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-2129463087326966562012-10-15T19:57:00.001-07:002012-10-15T19:58:57.441-07:00Pumkinhead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvm0Z3FGTwhyphenhyphenHCPETJsAkrWj6cfFvFKKTpV0MDiXHsueb6zX35YfZ0uKGXEEick73ialbULnClcDJ5NvaSYRkvZK99UkN0ivlaRBpxUnmiUwJpxNjXQaADEfeQA_PNtRhb2ACj8NhEaI7p/s1600/233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvm0Z3FGTwhyphenhyphenHCPETJsAkrWj6cfFvFKKTpV0MDiXHsueb6zX35YfZ0uKGXEEick73ialbULnClcDJ5NvaSYRkvZK99UkN0ivlaRBpxUnmiUwJpxNjXQaADEfeQA_PNtRhb2ACj8NhEaI7p/s640/233.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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My mom got this pumpkin for me and when I finally got outside to see it, I'm totally in love with the colors! It's so beautiful in variations of blue and green. I've really never seen anything like it. </div>
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How weird! But I'm so into these colors for fall ever since I saw a still from one of my fav shows Gossip Girl the other day. That pumpkin made me think of this really cool outfit.</div>
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I've always been into hats too, I just never seem to be going anywhere where I need one. I'm going to change that this season though. Hats off to ya!</div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">xoxo - Jess</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-54184595318151408402012-10-14T09:42:00.000-07:002012-10-14T09:44:34.388-07:00Cancer Got Me Down, But Not Out.I know, I know, I have been away for quite a while! I was so dedicated to this blog and writing about design, one of the loves of my life, but some things have changed. My last post on here was April 20th about all the wonderful mushrooms we collected for spring. Exactly one week after that post I went to the doctor to check out this dumb pulled hamstring in my right thigh. I had been letting my toddler stand on my foot while I walked him up the stairs (he thinks that is soooo fun!) only it wasn't a pulled hamstring. Turns out I had a malignant tumor the size of a softball tucked into my right hamstring muscle. It's very surreal to be diagnosed with cancer. Stage IV liposarcoma with metasasis to the bone to be specific. Pretty serious stuff and I'm sorry, but I just couldn't bring myself to even look at this blog, let alone write on it. I see a lot of people blog their journey and share the experience, but let me tell you right off...that ain't me. I tend to handle things inwardly, quietly. I didn't want this to turn into a blog about cancer. It's a part of my life now so, of course, I will talk about it sometimes, but it's not who I am. I've been mourning myself for months and...I just want to talk about design again! I don't want cancer to cast a shadow over what I love. It has reared its ugly head and done enough. I have learned a thing or two over these past few months though that I really feel I should share. Then I'll get back to design! These are five things I found out along the way...<br />
1. You learn to cry. And in front of anyone anywhere.<br />
2. You start to see the humanity in people. People will literally come out of the woodwork to help and it's really an amazing thing to know you have that much support.<br />
3. You learn your body/life no longer belongs to you and it probably never did. This is beyond my control.<br />
4.You learn how much you love yourself, your family, and your life. No one wants to lose that.<br />
5. You learn you have a kinship with others who suffer. No matter what age. I may have not been able to see those people before, but now we share something scary. Everyone has their brave face on, we can see it on each other.<br />
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Well, I just wanted to give you an update as to where I've been. Now...on to design stuff very soon! I'm over this cancer.<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">xoxo - Jess</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-7368819850568491952012-04-20T08:41:00.000-07:002012-04-20T08:43:23.834-07:00Another Reason I Love My Home...Mushrooms in the Spring!Hello! I just wanted to share something real quick with you. Spring in Iowa is so lush and plentiful and the morel mushrooms that pop up at this time are soooooo delicious and spectacular, like an explosion of pure bliss in your mouth! Too much? - well get a load of this bounty...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXaq-BgZoyv5HAMt2GuFo-6rkLIMkQRjagD-wGTwLskkINKnfQ3t6bFEYQD9oBg-N_y-dKJtuhnuOpb8RsAYhie_u8Ggf0znaFmqS7lQFBzlNoLOssDeCMFsN9Fz4WNxbUUHardv3chCF/s1600/mushrooms2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXaq-BgZoyv5HAMt2GuFo-6rkLIMkQRjagD-wGTwLskkINKnfQ3t6bFEYQD9oBg-N_y-dKJtuhnuOpb8RsAYhie_u8Ggf0znaFmqS7lQFBzlNoLOssDeCMFsN9Fz4WNxbUUHardv3chCF/s640/mushrooms2.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our plan is to eat them until we can't stand them any more:) Good thing they only come once a year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiobVtqqunrGTN-OwdR47gnoUXkKDOLDOk0YUfu0rqKKPEWcGQMOt0kY6NflY7zi6wpi5z1ZPQOQQpRW3L-51Gse6hGWKLEG28lW6oj8NiBVqxn_gFWC1uhbM6L6h2u5lvx9QRJiIn2N5A/s1600/mushrooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiobVtqqunrGTN-OwdR47gnoUXkKDOLDOk0YUfu0rqKKPEWcGQMOt0kY6NflY7zi6wpi5z1ZPQOQQpRW3L-51Gse6hGWKLEG28lW6oj8NiBVqxn_gFWC1uhbM6L6h2u5lvx9QRJiIn2N5A/s640/mushrooms.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Sorry for the crumby picture, but I had to share. We usually find a handful, a bagful if we're lucky. Score! Last night's menu...morels, breaded and sauteed. Do you like them as much as we do? How do you cook yours? Have a great weekend!<br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">-Jess xo</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-60191199644369903962012-04-17T08:31:00.001-07:002012-04-17T08:33:29.124-07:00And Speaking of Walls, What to do with a Stone WallHello Everyone! My last post boasted about my 2 out of 4 lovely walls that are now gracing our new shed, but if I back up the photo from the shed a bit, you'll see the old stone foundation of the original barn that was lost in the storm. I absolutely LOVE this stone wall, but I'm not so sure it should remain in the same place. Should we leave the wall where it's lies and fix it up as an homage to the original?, or should we try and move it and give it a new purpose in life? I will never get rid of the stones because I see them as a permanent fixture to the property no matter where they are located, but they do look a bit messy in this state. Just not sure which steps to take.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Gaygt9_DsaWYju95ZT9BgDN6FfFBvAWmlXs8vlU9xOtic6tXdDLJHWmcwwOT12TV0TigN6awu6u5ViLAUnZuILsJVC20xnsii9_MU2p3HIAkBDHofMCs38FM-iCNQ_LAmn1eiDvH9tJY/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Gaygt9_DsaWYju95ZT9BgDN6FfFBvAWmlXs8vlU9xOtic6tXdDLJHWmcwwOT12TV0TigN6awu6u5ViLAUnZuILsJVC20xnsii9_MU2p3HIAkBDHofMCs38FM-iCNQ_LAmn1eiDvH9tJY/s640/010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've been searching pics of really great things to do with dry stacked stone walls and it's inspiring to think of the possibilities for these stones. I don't know if I like that question mark end to this wall. I think the stone mason <em>may</em> be trapped inside the circle, eeek!<br />
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<a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/50412/shwa--landscape-portland"><img alt="shwa landscape" border="0" height="666" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/50412_0_8-0778--landscape.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/landscape" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">landscape design</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architect/portland" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">portland landscape architect</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/shwa/samuel-h-williamson-associates" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Samuel H. Williamson Associates</a></small><br />
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<small><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Maybe an aged look? This reminds me of a wall on the grounds of an English Castle!</span></small><br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/186829084511829171/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="667" src="http://media-cache1.pinterest.com/upload/186829084511829171_oQvSKaOX_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/casshole/28-gorgeous-photos-of-moss-332d" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">buzzfeed.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/proudyethumble/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Michael</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Or we could fill the foundation in with dirt and plant beautiful ornamental grasses and other "maintenance free" plants? I love ornamental grass.
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/221380137903071802/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://media-cache7.pinterest.com/upload/221380137903071802_fM6IC38X_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/478107/Contemporary-Garden-Art-contemporary-landscape-other-metros" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">houzz.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/mitomomof3/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">JennyandTony</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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I also thought we could put a little picket fence on top of the wall and a gate like this maybe? <br />
It could be a good garden area.
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/5136987045096614/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache2.pinterest.com/upload/5136987045096614_9gYOMkrj_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20190209_20437125,00.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">thisoldhouse.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/shebonner/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Sheila</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Here's a couple of pics showing how we could move and re-purpose the stone. <br />
Maybe to surround a pergola like this closer to the house? <br />
Or use the stones for a bench or barbeque or something? I don't know what do you think?!
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/45599014947235529/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="415" src="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/45599014947235529_KGnDXRF6_c.jpg" width="554" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.dswa.ca/showcase/southern-ontario" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">dswa.ca</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/edjambor/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Ed</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/197525133626847483/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://media-cache8.pinterest.com/upload/197525133626847483_cTrfl9mh_c.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">houzz.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kellip58/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Kelli</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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I think I am kind of liking the idea of filling in the space with dirt and use the stray stones to make a lovely set of steps like this. If you have any other ideas, please tell me!
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/68398488060745662/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="738" src="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/68398488060745662_wAyk2vAf_c.jpg" width="553" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">Uploaded by user</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/sfdawn/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Dawn</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Have a great week!!
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">-Jess xo</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-23287322260154082252012-04-08T14:55:00.001-07:002012-04-08T14:56:04.557-07:00Yes...We Have Walls!Hello Everyone! Let me refresh your memory a bit. We had lost a good portion of our old barn in a major storm a few years ago. Such a shame, but it was deteriorating and the storm just pushed it over the edge. We tore the rest down and saved every piece we could find until we could eventually built a shed, a BIG shed, out of the salvage. Flash forward to today and we finally have a roof and 2 walls! Why all of the excitement over something that's not even finished you ask? <br />
It's called progress. And that goes a long way at our house because time is short and so is patience sometimes, but there is definitely light at the end of <em>this </em>tunnel. Let's check out this progress then. Remember this picture from a previous post?<br />
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Cut to, right this second...<br />
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We had to lay out all of the barn board to see what was usable and what goes in the burn pile. Some were split beyond repair. Unfortunately there was not enough old wood to re-use that would have made suitable roof rafters, but everything that could be salvaged, will definitely be used.</div>
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Pretty maids all in a row.</div>
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If you have a keen eye, you will notice that the tractor never moves...Ever! I'm not complaining though because all of this work has amounted to this... Yes, my fine peeps, we have walls!<br />
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2 walls out of 4! Done. Now that's progress. Since the hubby is out there working on wall 3, maybe I should help the cause and get out there and pitch in huh?!<br />
Happy Easter!<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">-Jess xo</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-73718949624886365062012-04-01T11:27:00.000-07:002012-04-01T11:28:19.823-07:00A New Ceiling...What To Do?Hello Everyone!<br />
I've been crazy busy, then sick, then tired, and now I think I'm back on track here. Finally! I hate been sick it's such a drag, but laying around certainly gave me enough time to dwell on our soon-to-be gutted upstairs remodel project. Contractor comes in a couple weeks. Remember the mess I have to clean out before we gut it?... <br />
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Well, I was thinking...when we finally finish the space, what can I do to make this space unique and have that bungalow charm that I love so much? In a space like this that has practically zero vertical wall space, the focus will be on ceilings and floors. I love the character of the old hardwood floors so those will stay and get refinished. But the ceiling...what to do, what to do?<br />
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Maybe something like this? On a smaller scale of course<br />
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<a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/107477/Madaket-Modern--bedroom-other-metros"><img alt="Madaket Modern bedroom" border="0" height="334" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/107477_0_8-5949--bedroom.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/bedroom" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">bedroom design</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/architect/new-york" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">new york architect</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/workshopapd/workshopapd" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Workshop/apd</a></small></div>
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Or something like this? No beams.</div>
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<a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/60011/Dreamy-Bedroom-eclectic-bedroom-other-metros" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dreamy Bedroom eclectic bedroom" border="0" height="640" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/60011_0_8-4848-eclectic-bedroom.jpg" width="427" /></a><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic/bedroom" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">http://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic/bedroom</a></small></div>
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Or maybe something using our old barn beams still stacked outside?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdul-uQNykTpyNBmctKOeh_0ki01eY8OtLdSGzEHApPQTncf8kfGmZYKOFCS-DEorGW0PxIb1RDlQRrRl_t0dzZ4QLa8CyOd0bkuvLtaMPyCKt8eewanqDzCDHj9kLCZ_6TlXdPfG3iPqX/s1600/beams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdul-uQNykTpyNBmctKOeh_0ki01eY8OtLdSGzEHApPQTncf8kfGmZYKOFCS-DEorGW0PxIb1RDlQRrRl_t0dzZ4QLa8CyOd0bkuvLtaMPyCKt8eewanqDzCDHj9kLCZ_6TlXdPfG3iPqX/s400/beams.jpg" width="328" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/FE.FI.FAUX.FUM--Painting.And.Faux.Finishing.205-915-2629/picture/view/1653314">http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/FE.FI.FAUX.FUM--Painting.And.Faux.Finishing.205-915-2629/picture/view/1653314</a></td></tr>
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Maybe that's a little much:/ Or maybe just stick with plain old drywall. <br />
Keep it clean and simple and focus on really cool decor like this photo below...<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/32299322297219255/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache6.pinterest.com/upload/231935449529074080_4kQRiUdu_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30368801@N02/4088010020/in/set-72157621770405172/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">flickr.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/noica/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Jessica</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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What do you guys think? Beam it, wood slat it, or drywall it?? Let me know if you have any other ideas. Have a great weekend! What's left of it.<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">-Jess xo</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-62728370001926570082012-03-24T15:08:00.001-07:002012-03-26T16:43:16.914-07:00Square Footage...How Small Can You Go?Hello Everyone!<br />
Another busy week and I'm lagging on the blog-front, but I'm back! Does anyone watch "House Hunters" on HGTV?? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgronL300dTcF0gSURflVtDC0imohKLqPdSw5jJeCVoxTAQWFS5rLNM22LRfQc3ciff5ziiUWL2sTq6cpHFPexvqzQhPwA2h_XtO-slLPljxvGh_-DERN11JRetENjXh99ew5K8tqwI9esl/s1600/househunters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgronL300dTcF0gSURflVtDC0imohKLqPdSw5jJeCVoxTAQWFS5rLNM22LRfQc3ciff5ziiUWL2sTq6cpHFPexvqzQhPwA2h_XtO-slLPljxvGh_-DERN11JRetENjXh99ew5K8tqwI9esl/s640/househunters.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hermanchan.net/blog/2010/03/19/herman-on-hgtvs-house-hunters/">http://hermanchan.net/blog/2010/03/19/herman-on-hgtvs-house-hunters/</a></td></tr>
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I do love that show! I find it funny and slightly disturbing any time a couple goes through a </div>
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<strong>Gi-Normous</strong> house and they are sooooooo disappointed because, how on Earth will their kids ever be able to share one bathroom sink?! Or, "We have 2 children, 5 bedrooms will not be enough!". Is it just me that finds this strange? Maybe because I have never <em>lived </em>in a gi-normous house and do not know what it's like to be able to spread those wings! When you look around at what other people live in, especially on these shows like...Selling LA and House Hunters it's hard not to compare your own home, look around your living room while you watch, and think...how'd I end up in this dump!.Ha. Then you watch Selling New York and see bidding wars over million dollar apartments the size of a tissue box and think...Girl I got it gooooood:) Don't get me wrong there are times when I think we should find a bigger house, maybe we will some day, but I keep looking and coming up empty on style and character when it comes to getting more square footage. So, here we stay! It takes real saavy and organization to live well and raise a family in a small home and I'm proud to say I am one of those people. Cheers to the little houses of the world! </div>
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Here are a few of my favorite petite styles. Timeless, Classic, Beautiful....</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAgOanLToYqP1X_eTsdjSntwGdJqX0BKex6SDXJQ8N0Fv47MMIPjs2eSd9gHxLxm49zy2fnA2yAXICYPona8Jw_DIKUT5eEHRgxtpAPfbMSjAPe-9BU6OCh1j_6PL63bhdBLvSynhvx9Q/s1600/Bungalow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAgOanLToYqP1X_eTsdjSntwGdJqX0BKex6SDXJQ8N0Fv47MMIPjs2eSd9gHxLxm49zy2fnA2yAXICYPona8Jw_DIKUT5eEHRgxtpAPfbMSjAPe-9BU6OCh1j_6PL63bhdBLvSynhvx9Q/s640/Bungalow.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.essential-architecture.com/IMAGES2/BUNGALOW(4).JPG">http://www.essential-architecture.com/IMAGES2/BUNGALOW(4).JPG</a></td></tr>
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The Craftsman Bungalow. My very favorite! The dark/white contrast lets the details shine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMuIKwokPnMBhGlPp6YEIw5kvvHGzhUtbcQa7hgEbZ9sWuPZ9tRuV8nFbLtDCwtN7MtiIzyqpXHQprkuLt7EbIt_1_w79MRi_vrLAAAXzcrnqqla-q4MPijzeoUVTQMzjYaQwpOJRX0O0/s1600/Bungalow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMuIKwokPnMBhGlPp6YEIw5kvvHGzhUtbcQa7hgEbZ9sWuPZ9tRuV8nFbLtDCwtN7MtiIzyqpXHQprkuLt7EbIt_1_w79MRi_vrLAAAXzcrnqqla-q4MPijzeoUVTQMzjYaQwpOJRX0O0/s640/Bungalow2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sbconservancy.org/reminiscing.htm">http://www.sbconservancy.org/reminiscing.htm</a></td></tr>
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The Spanish style Bungalow. If I ever moved to Cali, I would be crazy to not live in one...so many are serious architectural gems! By the way, I had a thought, if you did live in a California style climate (which unfortunately I do NOT), if you need more square footage, take it outside! Outdoor rooms could be a whole other post that I'll touch on at some point, but this one is Spanish style so I'll just pop it in:)<br />
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<a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/38714/Spanish-Bungalow-mediterranean-landscape-san-luis-obispo"><img alt="Spanish Bungalow mediterranean landscape" border="0" height="424" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/38714_0_8-8611-mediterranean-landscape.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/mediterranean/landscape" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">mediterranean landscape design</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architect/san-luis-obispo" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">san luis obispo landscape architect</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/jgsdesigns/jeffrey-gordon-smith-landscape-architecture" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture</a></small><br />
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<small><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">This Victorian Bungalow is fabulous! Even more fabulous because it's from my beautiful home state of Iowa. Let me just say, I would not have energy to own this house. Can you see yourself out there on a ladder year after year working on that paint job?</span></small><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11537676@N06/5152126821/" title="Victorian cottage house, Decorah, Iowa by Paul McClure DC, on Flickr"><img alt="Victorian cottage house, Decorah, Iowa" height="480" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4129/5152126821_da608e5ff6.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Let's face it, owning a small home may be less maintenance, but when you have an old architecturally detailed house like the ones above, it's not going to be a walk in the park. The exterior maintenance can be all consuming sometimes. They are not for everyone, I just wanted to remind myself that it's not always about square footage. I know the tniy house revolution is here, however, square footage CAN make <em>some</em> difference...<br />
I mean, could you live in <strong>this</strong>???<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi949KuHSF_MLEWjSBzKAcySLftNeskiBE4mXjYIEoLqiakfP0ze4rA9tRzFlM2G46XrSV6YJFXJpAAqTYlsLOPq3FNsvztGw9zRa4rtVgy6KmuN5Aj_fFdU1egXcKn4vA9Yfb1ruCSouBR/s1600/Tiny+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi949KuHSF_MLEWjSBzKAcySLftNeskiBE4mXjYIEoLqiakfP0ze4rA9tRzFlM2G46XrSV6YJFXJpAAqTYlsLOPq3FNsvztGw9zRa4rtVgy6KmuN5Aj_fFdU1egXcKn4vA9Yfb1ruCSouBR/s640/Tiny+house.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://livingroomrealtors.com/tiny-house-revolution/">http://livingroomrealtors.com/tiny-house-revolution/</a></td></tr>
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NEVER! So cute though:)<br />
Have a great weekend!!<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">-Jess xo</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-85170697292155301412012-03-17T11:39:00.001-07:002012-03-17T11:41:56.609-07:00A New Roof and Dormers Coming Soon...See What You Think!Hey everyone! I wanted to share what I have been up to this week. You've heard me yapping about this " Major Project II" that is supposedly coming soon. Well...it's happening so let me tell you more about it. We live in a 1 1/2 story bungalow. Small, yes, so we want to maximize space for our growing family rather than leave the house/location we love. So, like I always say, when you can't go out, Go Up! So we are gutting and finishing the upstairs. Yay! I can't wait. I love a finished project, even though while construction is happening I moan about how it's the bain of my existence, but I'm hoping the end result is worth it. Hope hope. Let me show you what it looks like right now, mess and all, check it out! Everything is being moved to the basement. It's half empty...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQU2PjZ6FeEy-0RGD1IR3vP-6BPQ6FOGHLOppmvBMK-DAkLFoaHYUqQThAz0WypIrv8WsHTMibTkXMIfFyIVRRn8Mu79vZ1ShBiqYn3BwyA2syC6qHlLOc84R7cJAzDCVbtVkj0VnCT3qR/s1600/135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQU2PjZ6FeEy-0RGD1IR3vP-6BPQ6FOGHLOppmvBMK-DAkLFoaHYUqQThAz0WypIrv8WsHTMibTkXMIfFyIVRRn8Mu79vZ1ShBiqYn3BwyA2syC6qHlLOc84R7cJAzDCVbtVkj0VnCT3qR/s640/135.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The half wall surrounds the steps going down to the main level. Also, behind that beautiful yellow smoke alarm in the upper left corner...is a beautiful brick chimney that will soon be exposed;)<br />
The previous owner's had split this space in two for a bedroom for each of their boys, but it has seen better days. The particle board panel ceiling is falling in, and when that is re-done with drywall, I envision doing away with the flat part of the ceiling and giving a hair more headroom with a peak instead. Here's a view looking back towards the steps.....Don't judge me it's a mess!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgx3Xa-Yz1rKOmPg25fTF-mrphqibJ8XkZWNvLsLy2tjeE9so_cFUps4Od6pMVgHJipUUmXoE5Tp0oGDKiKgNVTUZ_ld1qABXlZU3vEUOAJKNKbRGJXJfpb3vCxzNYuxh11oWEJOT1Ur0/s1600/136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgx3Xa-Yz1rKOmPg25fTF-mrphqibJ8XkZWNvLsLy2tjeE9so_cFUps4Od6pMVgHJipUUmXoE5Tp0oGDKiKgNVTUZ_ld1qABXlZU3vEUOAJKNKbRGJXJfpb3vCxzNYuxh11oWEJOT1Ur0/s640/136.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Beautiful floors huh?! I want to refinish those hopefully. The biggest part of the project is the new dormers that will be added to each side of the roof. I hope it will help enlarge the look of the space by adding a little more square footage and A LOT more light!! Here's our house sans dormers as it is right now...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpHYlzK1QtIONNDeTw-lBcOy2vThx_MTpKpNrvRfvwMPAt9AVThrhFxudJzzHjdeeLjaeXIyIXaCkbAQXh32wRFjlwNdgi_TXSt47vT1BsOKchQDktLoiBxGMTddaWhbDisEhj4dYLzlu/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpHYlzK1QtIONNDeTw-lBcOy2vThx_MTpKpNrvRfvwMPAt9AVThrhFxudJzzHjdeeLjaeXIyIXaCkbAQXh32wRFjlwNdgi_TXSt47vT1BsOKchQDktLoiBxGMTddaWhbDisEhj4dYLzlu/s640/010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In this pic below I did a little cut and pastey job on a photo to get the idea of what dormers could look like. My main concern is that the new dormers do NOT take away from the original Arts and Crafts bungalow style. If it doesn't look somewhat original to the house, it's going to feel off. Boy I hope this works! What do you think of adding dormers??? These are definitely NOT to scale, but this pic is just to give you an idea...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lrlMgMMtxW3Zbhx7Eu1R0yRk6Ikns5SYo5eav3oKXfwrrwEpKrfF-dGlnw3SkaCOc2gA_a6D3jDTuh_EZ814wMKJe1Hxybh21gYFgqNDXqlEPameIMrtrd4gEXAgF3sZmRlAw0Ez8GU9/s1600/Jessdormer1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lrlMgMMtxW3Zbhx7Eu1R0yRk6Ikns5SYo5eav3oKXfwrrwEpKrfF-dGlnw3SkaCOc2gA_a6D3jDTuh_EZ814wMKJe1Hxybh21gYFgqNDXqlEPameIMrtrd4gEXAgF3sZmRlAw0Ez8GU9/s640/Jessdormer1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In looking at pics of other half story re-designs, I found this kids area that is really cool below!! I really dream of an all white master suite, kissed by the warmth of finished wood floors. Ha ha. But we are seriously tossing around the idea of a great big space for Evan too. He'd love it!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/339081/Katie-eclectic-kids-new-york"><img alt="Katie eclectic kids" border="0" height="332" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/339081_0_8-7302-eclectic-kids.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic/kids" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">eclectic kids design</a></small></div>
Maybe with some great storage solutions for toys??
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<a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/98793/Master-Bedroom-traditional-bedroom-seattle"><img alt="Master Bedroom traditional bedroom" border="0" height="334" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/98793_0_8-8571-traditional-bedroom.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional/bedroom" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">traditional bedroom design</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath/seattle" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">seattle kitchen and bath</a> Kitchen & Bath Design Center</small><br />
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<small><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Maybe my living room won't look like this quite as often?? :) Probably wishful thinking huh?!</span></small><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YqzzpP802h3631E7GUFLnYlGmMGjDExiE_LGd2cXcrppDqdTg1mR1jR_eRBhih5sWfFMZ5yETbg1_4j5c7n3LxL0OFRrb9ewysITW-9H-A1cTuzvUMt91ucvl5u1BO1gayOQV-ZFjYeN/s1600/131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YqzzpP802h3631E7GUFLnYlGmMGjDExiE_LGd2cXcrppDqdTg1mR1jR_eRBhih5sWfFMZ5yETbg1_4j5c7n3LxL0OFRrb9ewysITW-9H-A1cTuzvUMt91ucvl5u1BO1gayOQV-ZFjYeN/s640/131.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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Well, that's what is happening around here! Just a lot of box moving, toy shifting, soon-to-be wall gutting weekends until the contractor starts in April. Let me know what you think... and I'll keep you posted! I'm going outside to sort barnboard for the "still-going" Major Project I - The new shed. Ugh!<br />
Have a great weekend!<br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">-Jess xo</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-66953468655916347532012-03-07T21:41:00.001-08:002012-03-07T21:41:55.848-08:00What I love about my homeLast weekend we were blanketed with a lovely coat of fresh snow. Though I hate winter most of the time, when a nice heavy snow (I'm not talking a blizzard here) covers my world with a new freshness, I think it makes everything look clean and beautiful. Kind of like when you step back and look at your new freshly painted white wall. You rediscover it's potential; like looking at a clean slate. After a chilly, sloppy winter, I was happy for this fresh clean look. Two days later it's 60 something degrees and we are left with yet another sloppy mess. Don't get me wrong, I love the warmer temps. When the mercury rises, my mood goes up right along with. However, last weekend gave me a chance to fall in love with the look of my house again and look forward to a spring and summer full of project potential. That fresh coat of white reminded me all of the things I love about this little bungalow and I thought I'd share those things with you...<br />
I love our creek, so still and peaceful.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbm6wyeBhQB2YykgjsyPxm9_5nOv0EGCvMA28N17Om53bbzz4HkCVy1i-j5rTvBixUrl4gh_AaagDQkrxkB8x61NO75cNad8fFdsGJDQ8tWZAuh6OAgJnFWZUshW5_BAGS9MtHZygsMe-h/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbm6wyeBhQB2YykgjsyPxm9_5nOv0EGCvMA28N17Om53bbzz4HkCVy1i-j5rTvBixUrl4gh_AaagDQkrxkB8x61NO75cNad8fFdsGJDQ8tWZAuh6OAgJnFWZUshW5_BAGS9MtHZygsMe-h/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbm6wyeBhQB2YykgjsyPxm9_5nOv0EGCvMA28N17Om53bbzz4HkCVy1i-j5rTvBixUrl4gh_AaagDQkrxkB8x61NO75cNad8fFdsGJDQ8tWZAuh6OAgJnFWZUshW5_BAGS9MtHZygsMe-h/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbm6wyeBhQB2YykgjsyPxm9_5nOv0EGCvMA28N17Om53bbzz4HkCVy1i-j5rTvBixUrl4gh_AaagDQkrxkB8x61NO75cNad8fFdsGJDQ8tWZAuh6OAgJnFWZUshW5_BAGS9MtHZygsMe-h/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: left;"></div></a>I love the trails. Noah has spent so much time blazing these beautiful trails through the woods. I look forward to our summer walks.<br />
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<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love the house! Our little country bungalow in the woods. So safe and hidden away. Though let me just say that when it becomes a muddy mess and I move closer to the house and see all of the work that needs done, I cringe, but at a distance...all covered in white...how charming!:)</div><br />
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With that muddy mess comes the promise of spring and summer. I'm ready!!<br />
I love that we live one mile from the boat ramp. Can't wait to go rollin' on the river!<br />
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Hidden away, but with wide open spaces to play...<br />
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And relax... that's me fishing of the old pier 1 mile away.<br />
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Think spring everyone! It's right around the corner, new house projects await!<br />
Have a great weekend:)<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">-Jess xo</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-64492204782721115652012-02-29T19:46:00.002-08:002012-02-29T19:48:12.205-08:00Dutch DoorsHello everyone! I have <em>always</em> loved the idea of a Dutch door. So, about a year ago (quite possibly longer), I ran across one at one of my hotspots The Habitat for Humanity's Re-Store. I got it for the door to our basement steps. Initially, it seemed like the perfect size for the stairway. The idea was so great for a Dutch door right there because I could leave the top half open so it would still "visually" open up the lower level, but still keep the bottom closed for a wandering toddler. Well guess what...it didn't fit. I mean, I knew it wasn't going to fit exactly and may need modified, but it REALLY didn't fit. We only have a 27" wide opening to our basement and this thing was like 34". You know, like a normal door should be. Since we were finishing the basement bathroom and hadn't even framed in a door yet...we went Dutch:) It really needed some fill work and nice clean sanded finish. After a year...we just finished this thing! Now it's officially installed and we can actually have a little privacy.<br />
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It used to be this lovely shade of yellow...
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You may be wondering what this aqua blue colored stuff is that is filling several nooks and crannies? Well...it's fiberglass filler. Like what you'd use on a car body. Weird huh? My hubby's in the auto biz and we always have an ample supply, so years ago we started patching walls and other minor things with it and it just seems to work really well! Pretty awesome actually! The problem with using it is, the door will always have to be painted and can never be refinished. I was ok with that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WOlCxFHDHM57Q-2_iQW2PzKcAy4d8uBhR7KrHbk971PB_1ezu78bLqYfFtLYj4Rpr-2VEj-HjqEvWtLUaGxcJiJxf2ZUaEQ0mCtKus6-rHaUwCBUYGD2ks9DzuKcJWyFfCmdon0Xf86k/s1600/Dutchdoorredo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WOlCxFHDHM57Q-2_iQW2PzKcAy4d8uBhR7KrHbk971PB_1ezu78bLqYfFtLYj4Rpr-2VEj-HjqEvWtLUaGxcJiJxf2ZUaEQ0mCtKus6-rHaUwCBUYGD2ks9DzuKcJWyFfCmdon0Xf86k/s640/Dutchdoorredo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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With a fresh coat of white, the final result is...(drum roll)........<br />
Tah-dah!<br />
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<br />The windows originally were clear, but for a bathroom application I frosted them with spray frost. I was skeptical about it, but it actually worked really well and doesn't feel gritty like it would be hard to clean. The paint is Dutch Boy cabinet and trim paint in white. I love the character of a Dutch door, and even though I didn't get to use it how I <strong>really </strong>wanted, the idea of still being able to have one (even if it is the bathroom), is good enough for me:)<br />
Oh yes, you may have seen there is no door knob. The rest of our house has old glass knobs, and I have an extra, but it has yet to make it on the door. But it looks like this...<br />
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Here are a few pics of some great uses of Dutch doors I've been browsing lately. <br />
So much classier than a baby gate! Brilliant.<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/32299322297373367/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/273101164873257941_KR0ljnpK_c.jpg" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com/2012/01/charming-safe-diy-baby-gates.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/noica/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Jessica</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/ny/0606_dutch_door.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/inspiration/dutch-door-roundup-052677&usg=__MQKGD6kn4hwNXsqevImmLeMfmuM=&h=533&w=400&sz=83&hl=en&start=1&sig2=g5641IBM7SOPJXWkHHRF4A&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=s5ci0DbrYyLFjM:&tbnh=132&tbnw=99&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddutch%2Bdoor%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=V979S_iIBYKBlAfG_7XoCQ" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">google.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/noica/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Jessica</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/51228514480835498/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/51228514480835498_kcwGLSpp_c.jpg" width="489" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://blueprintbliss.blogspot.com/2011/01/paneling-vs-planking.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">blueprintbliss.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/melissatmurphy/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Melissa</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Back to it's roots...this is a 17th century painting by a Dutch artist. See the Dutch door in the background?? I'm kinda loving this interior by the way. Good colors and windows for the 17th century!<br />
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Well everyone, hope you have a great weekend!! Thanks for reading all of our latest crazy endeavors. See ya next week!</div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-Jess xo</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-91590873690841494422012-02-24T23:19:00.000-08:002012-02-24T23:22:05.254-08:00Grocery heavyweights Walmart vs. Aldi: A comparisonHey Everyone!<br />
Sorry I'm late blogging this week. It's been so busy around here. I wanted to tell you about last weekend though. We decided to try something a little different and do our monthly grocery shopping at two places instead of our usual one Walmart stop. I'm sure a lot of people do this regularly already, but we have a brand new Aldi's in our town and we wanted to know, would there be a big difference in price? I have never been to Aldi before, so, I will tell you our results! We did a price-by-price comparison so I'll go through some main staple items that was on our shopping list and compare the two. <br />
Battle of the grocery heavyweights (ding-ding)!<br />
In this corner...the place I frequently refer to as the 7th circle of hell...WALMART!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> miami.cbslocal.com</span></td></tr>
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And in this corner...the land of the unknown(for me that is)..ALDI!<br />
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Aldi's was pleasant enough once I got past the 25 cents to get your cart thing. I thought it was stupid until my husband pointed out they don't have to pay people to take carts in and out. Hmmm. Brilliant! So let's see it pays off for them...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_oteElBLO8_gBzMdo4MOPKetbY_XbwpAVZ058ypjHKo8-UWeeEUR986ycHmE5CFJfKcvTjZABhFtPUSt6Baq_ZyYzNgzoULq-ElQLLJzK5BuG7xHP0SyldaYuPIxWNs5w_uiIIm9LiTF/s1600/Aldiwalmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_oteElBLO8_gBzMdo4MOPKetbY_XbwpAVZ058ypjHKo8-UWeeEUR986ycHmE5CFJfKcvTjZABhFtPUSt6Baq_ZyYzNgzoULq-ElQLLJzK5BuG7xHP0SyldaYuPIxWNs5w_uiIIm9LiTF/s1600/Aldiwalmart.jpg" /></a></div>
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Looks like it's a knockout for ALDI! All of those little things really added up. If this were your weekly grocery bill, and you saved the approximate $10 per week, this could be a $40 per month savings. I don't know about you but I could find something else to do with that:) Keep in mind this is only a fraction of our grocery list. We spent $114.00 at Aldi. That means the savings could even be broader...$40, $50, $60! a month maybe. We can't get EVERYTHING we need at Aldi and that is the problem. Do you really want to go to two places??? In the same day...um...no. But, each still does have pros and cons.<br />
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<strong>WALMART PRO'S =</strong> <br />
Everything you need in one place (that's a big one!), some things are still less expensive, they provide bags!, bank, pharmacy, electronics. The big reason we need Walmart...DIAPERS! Aldi's does not have our diapers. <br />
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<strong>WALMART CON'S =</strong><br />
Their produce NEVER looks as good as the above photo! Ever! At least at our local store. It's a shoddy selection for sure. The crowds. Ugh! If you have to go on a Saturday. Yikes. If you eat Gluten Free like I do...they have a terrible GF selection and their standard brands aren't labeled as well as Aldi's canned goods. Be prepared to do a lot of reading. <br />
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<strong>ALDI PRO'S =</strong><br />
Good cheap produce. Not as much selection, but it looks like more quality than quantity. I eat Gluten Free and the Aldi''s canned goods are almost all labeled GF. YAY!. At the right time of day, it seems to be pretty clean and quiet. That's a change from Walmart. Good prices too.<br />
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<strong>ALDI CON'S =</strong><br />
Bringing your own bags and bagging your own stuff. What a pain! I mean, you do bag your own stuff at Walmart, but at least they help bag a little and put it back in the cart and not shove you over to a side wall where you have to spend time re-arranging everything. Walmart does save a step there. It lacks selection...that's a big con actually! Our location also had 1 checker...IN THE WHOLE STORE! Good thing there wasn't a crowd.<br />
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Well...I would say each has there fair share of cons, but overall...I was happy about the price savings and also to find a spot where I can get good produce and not pay the astronomical prices at our local HyVee. Although, if you do eat Gluten Free...HyVee is THE place to be!! Hands down. <br />
<a href="http://www.hy-vee.com/">http://www.hy-vee.com/</a><br />
They have a whole foods/organic and GF section of the store with an on-staff dietician no less that will help you with all of your "gluten-y" questions. Plus, everything on the regular shelves have a GF by the label if it is gluten free. Boy is that handy! And the selection, oh the beautiful selection! Bring your pocketbook baby;)<br />
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Kudos to Aldi's though on price and cleanliness and may you bask in their sunny windows while saving a buck or two. Not a bad little Saturday after all:)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.internationalsupermarketnews.com/news/1108">http://www.internationalsupermarketnews.com/news/1108</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Happy shopping!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">-Jess xo</span><br />
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</span></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-48998591969192575062012-02-15T14:01:00.000-08:002012-02-15T14:16:03.254-08:00Loving LatticeHello everyone! Hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's day yesterday. Being a new blogger, I have learned, so far, that the more I think about design, houses, blogging, whatever...I start finding more and more out about myself and the things I really love. I wanted to share something that I've really been loving lately. Lattice work. Some may say trellis, I say lattice. I'm seeing it everywhere! It's really chic right now I know, I know, lattice is not a surprise, but it has always been a design that struck my fancy. What I am finding out about myself is that, I just love good clean classics. Who doesn't?! But I never veer to far from those kinds of things. You know, things like subway tile, aviator sunglasses, jeans, chesterfield sofas, hair in a bun, yadda, yadda. If my hair was long enough I would whip it up in a bun and plop on a chesterfield with a good classic book right now. My point is, I know it's overly trendy right now...sure. But I think current trends are new growth of old roots. I'd love to use this design in the new basement family room. Remember the $30 relic that's going down there <em>(below)</em> ?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiUwMYbULEJ0m95md4u0s4Ip89MFZoRYTPYQv6x6n-VH4rWZ7zXKUotnbiulOwjB9aNVsqCrFFc0amRMcrxvNu2DHgiQ1FvnyIVcZP6PIxvwYWcMY2DRp0U-uFWsW35HH4bXUbs33VLUD/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiUwMYbULEJ0m95md4u0s4Ip89MFZoRYTPYQv6x6n-VH4rWZ7zXKUotnbiulOwjB9aNVsqCrFFc0amRMcrxvNu2DHgiQ1FvnyIVcZP6PIxvwYWcMY2DRp0U-uFWsW35HH4bXUbs33VLUD/s640/029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I want to keep it clean and simple with a solid color fabric but jazz it up with pillows for the back. Or maybe just all pillows in place of the current orange wedges altogether.<br />
Like these?...<br />
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<a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/45063/Budget-Living-Room-eclectic-living-room-atlanta"><img alt="Budget Living Room eclectic living room" border="0" height="376" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/45063_0_8-4034-eclectic-living-room.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic/living-room" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">eclectic living room design</a></small><br />
<small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/103552/list/Trellis---Trellis">http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/103552/list/Trellis---Trellis</a></small><br />
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<small><span style="font-size: small;">I have always loved Chippendale, so I just want a little, more cost effective, piece for that in my own environment to appreciate.</span></small><br />
<small><span style="font-size: small;">Bask in the glory of Chinese Chippendale...</span></small><br />
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<small><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Image Detail" height="413" id="main-img" src="http://www.buffaloah.com/f/fdesigners/chipp/drctr/XXVIII.jpg" style="opacity: 1; visibility: visible;" title="Chippendale’s Chinese chair designs from The Gentleman & Cabinet ..." width="648" /></span></small><br />
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<small><a href="http://1001rulesforcollectingantiques.tumblr.com/">http://1001rulesforcollectingantiques.tumblr.com/</a></small><br />
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<small>Lattice of the past...</small><br />
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Source: <a href="http://tonight-we-are-young.tumblr.com/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">tonight-we-are-young.tumblr.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/jaberach/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Twentytwo</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Lattice of the present...<br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?q=waverly+fabric+gray&um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=960&bih=486&tbm=isch&tbnid=Z69JoLil_x9otM:&imgrefurl=http://www.decorpad.com/search.htm%3FsearchType%3Dphotos%26q%3DWaverly%2520Lattice%2520Fabric&docid=XAuuU6UCcigkcM&w=580&h=465&ei=sE9qTuu8OpPWiALp39ifDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=356&vpy=142&dur=6330&hovh=201&hovw=251&tx=171&ty=109&page=6&tbnh=142&tbnw=179&start=41&ndsp=8&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:41" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">google.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/turquoisela/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Vanessa</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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I may end up using a rug instead of the pillows, but either way, when I'm over the trend, I can change it guilt free because I didn't do the <em>whole</em> sofa in it.<br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">centsationalgirl.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/homestyle/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Janis</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">Uploaded by user</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/tcourtnage/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Tiffany</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/165648092513700164/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="612" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/165648092513700164_TIsVHC87_c.jpg" width="470" /></a><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/13440498857414788/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="575" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/13440498857414788_Rb35Ikzb_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://wickedcloth.es/post/1606989050" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">wickedcloth.es</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/daekyra/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Asia</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/267823509059701806/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/267823509059701806_bJQQGOqE_c.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.recipe.com/lattice-topped-pumpkin-pie/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">recipe.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/krissylousews/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Kristin</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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If only I were young enough to pull of that shirt! How cool. I'll keep you posted on how it turns out, but until then...<br />
Long Live Lattice!<br />
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JessAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-73562565681295847822012-02-08T12:10:00.000-08:002012-02-08T14:52:09.236-08:00The Cat House We are going to be gutting our upstairs soon, YAY! I call it the "attic", but it's really a half story that the previous owners had made into two bedrooms. I hope to make into one large beautiful master suite some day, but for now it could become kiddie space, but who knows...when you live in a bunglaow you take any space you can get your hands on, and in this house, you either go up, or go down. We intend to do both actually:) The contractor starts in April and I need to get everything out of there and re-organized down in the basement that I have been <em>trying</em> to transform into a man cave/family room at the same time. Ugh! It is hectic around here! Since you 've seen my other posts about how much crap I drag in here...then you can imagine how much treking up and down these steps I'm doing. Whatever...I need the workout. It's been a big week and I was kind of at a loss of what I wanted to blog about this week. However...in all this sorting and so on and so forth...I've realized my penchant for loving cats has turned into a collection that over time spread it's "whiskers" on all three floors! Somebody stop me, there's kitty everywhere I look and I didn't even see it coming. Check this out! A kitty frame on the window sill in the kitchen...<br />
<em>That is my handsome nephew Jeramie by the way</em><br />
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Here are two of the three pictures hanging on the kitchen walls...<br />
PS- I don't even really care for these prints, but some how they got "grandfathered in" and are still hanging on the walls, but I hate my kitchen enough that I don't really care. That's another project.<br />
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<br />Andy Warhol - sorry it's foggy<br />
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Ok...Here is the top of my dresser in our bedroom. I'm sure Noah adores looking and these little creatures all over the house (sarcasm). I just pick them up in my travels or friend's give them as gifts.<br />
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<br />They even multiply when the light changes!...haha<br />
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<br />Who's that little guy peeking out over the sofa in the living room? He beckons from Pier One many moons ago...my son Evan probably moved him there because I really don't know where he was sitting.<br />
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And in the bath room upstairs...A lovely plaque I picked up in Sicily. Originally meant to go outside and hang on the new shed. How's that shed going you ask?...um...no comment. Until it's finished though, this stays in the bath room:) Foogy pic again so I just did it in B&W. I'm having camera issues. But...<br />
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You get the idea.<br />A book shelf in the basement...<br />
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On top of an old bookcase in my son's room... he's from Spain.<br />
The cat that is.<br />
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Well there you have it! That is what I have learned about myself this week. I love cats! It's not that I even really <em>love</em> them that much in person, but...maybe it's their carefree, I don't give a s*#t attitudes, that I appreciate! Sure they love you, but they don't have to love you. At least I think that's the relationship I have with my two outdoor cats. I think I need them (they keep mice away) more than they need me. Take a look around. Do you have any weird collections that you just love and you're not sure why? Or, do you pick up little things here and there and they happen to have similarities that you like the characteristics of maybe more than the object itself? Just a thought...<br />
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Have a great day!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><em>Jess xo</em></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-78649965229727798842012-02-01T11:11:00.000-08:002012-02-01T13:41:17.699-08:00Architecture of Independence Iowa..the drive-by versionHello everyone! Last week was a sad one as we lost our dear Uncle Bud who was from, my in-laws hometown of, Oelwein, Iowa. We don't get there very often, but when we do it's always nice to see what else beautiful Northern Iowa has to offer. Just South of Oelwein is the quaint little town of Independence, Iowa. Going through again made me sit up (in the car:) and take notice to some of the beautiful homes along the main drag of this once bustling town. Though the hubby wouldn't stop the car (hmmph)...here are some of my best "fly by" shots of a town worth stopping and checking out if you're galivanting around Northern Iowa. WARNING...it's colder up there! I know this because I wore no socks (which my M-I-L made sure to discuss. haha:) and as you can see, there is snow on the ground. C'mon, who hasn't sacrificed for fashion! Anywhoooo, check out the old train depot. Once upon a time, this depot would have been jam packed with travelers walking and waiting...waiting and walking in 1891...<br />
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Did I ever mention how much a I love vintage suitcases (I need to find some more), these look so cool on display. Also note the intricate architectural detail of the pillars. <br />
What a grand period in time.<br />
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Look out for the train! Whoooo. Whoooo. (um, that was a whistle.)<br />
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A little cruise through bustling downtown Independence...<br />
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Here's a monster beauty along the main drag. Absolutely crisp, beautiful paint job. <br />
Somebody loves their home! Who wouldn't, look at it!<br />
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<br />With an extra little cottage/carriage house in the back. Amazing.<br />
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Here's another gem. My fav! The paint that once covered the original brick is all chippy and falling off, but that's what I love about this. Some Italianate details prevalent in the arch windows, pillars and corbels. Awesomeness. Period.<br />
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Then a little Gothic styling. Pointed peaks with leaded glass and high peaks in the roof. These pristine paint jobs put my shabby little bungalow to shame. I will be posting pics of that soon by the way. BIG project coming up so stay tuned!</div>
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Well there is a little snippet of lovely Independence I thought I'd share. What a melting pot of architectural styles.</div>
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Have great day and happy first day of February!</div>
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-Jess </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-63682081852997544062012-01-26T20:11:00.000-08:002012-02-01T13:39:37.938-08:00Look what the cat dragged in!....again...So it's my latest purchase from a local re-sale shop for the new "family room/man cave" in the basement. Not quite sure what to do with it yet, but what can I say...it speaks to me! Good lines, clean, sturdy, classic design and the very best part...$30.00. I know right?!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiUwMYbULEJ0m95md4u0s4Ip89MFZoRYTPYQv6x6n-VH4rWZ7zXKUotnbiulOwjB9aNVsqCrFFc0amRMcrxvNu2DHgiQ1FvnyIVcZP6PIxvwYWcMY2DRp0U-uFWsW35HH4bXUbs33VLUD/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiUwMYbULEJ0m95md4u0s4Ip89MFZoRYTPYQv6x6n-VH4rWZ7zXKUotnbiulOwjB9aNVsqCrFFc0amRMcrxvNu2DHgiQ1FvnyIVcZP6PIxvwYWcMY2DRp0U-uFWsW35HH4bXUbs33VLUD/s320/029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I kind of like the caned?/weaved? side panels, but I don't care for the fabric. Though I dig a touch of orange, for me, it's overkill. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uvh5hGKRh3Sn68AkJu-H6_mZYWruDWMfuzieS7B-hAnyWrEatVFhKcsD9WQ27rhI18bdVgJgkcr7ea5dJgun_X0TdFQgX6_OAu-f7IZHkD71fNZkf5fNHvCudoG76Y7YpXv82Sp5ffQ-/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uvh5hGKRh3Sn68AkJu-H6_mZYWruDWMfuzieS7B-hAnyWrEatVFhKcsD9WQ27rhI18bdVgJgkcr7ea5dJgun_X0TdFQgX6_OAu-f7IZHkD71fNZkf5fNHvCudoG76Y7YpXv82Sp5ffQ-/s320/030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>All the cushion wedges are removable so it could an open bench. It's big! It's the size of a twin mattress so wouldn't it be cool in an open concept living area?....ahem, which I do not have. Haha.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDIl08sGQ8mLJuS_NNqDnoOX6WQI5L2d6KD2gv30R6lOihM4TDO40XbmQqHijw6DYqmA0oChS5ISAsCpB6Ya5DxLZsEKJ0Ff91NcaZZOfXzzVGlOAfwzBwIAVPY9gwShHS_wUg5txwAq7/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDIl08sGQ8mLJuS_NNqDnoOX6WQI5L2d6KD2gv30R6lOihM4TDO40XbmQqHijw6DYqmA0oChS5ISAsCpB6Ya5DxLZsEKJ0Ff91NcaZZOfXzzVGlOAfwzBwIAVPY9gwShHS_wUg5txwAq7/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>All of the cushion wedges are zippered covers so if I could make new ones in a different fabric, I image it to turn out something like this. I'm sure I'll get right on that (wink wink).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/8303580532441095/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/8303580532441095_ymk4S4FY_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It's been moved into the basement and kid tested. Evan used it as a trampoline for about an hour so it's a keeper. Let me know what you think??? Have to? or Has Been:(<br />
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<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.gusmodern.com/products1/sofas/carter-sofa/carter-sofa.shtml" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">gusmodern.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/jordan_b_berman/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Jordan</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-15580153615134400522012-01-24T10:01:00.000-08:002012-02-01T14:50:29.618-08:00Our Basement Bathroom Renovation and Some Clever Vanity IdeasWith our one tiny bathroom upstairs, we decided to add a bathroom in the basement a few years ago. We worked on it so slooooooowly. I'm talking, we are<strong> just</strong> finishing it! But, as my husband says, "I'm only one man", and even better, he's free! But, besides adding some minor detail trim work...oh yes!...and a door, which is very important (I'll explain that in another post)...we are done. I'm kind of glad it's taken so long, because I have trouble picking things out on the fly. I think sometimes good design kind of happens organically over time spent searching for just the right thing. I wonder what this bathroom would have been if we could have completed it all in one shot? Or, if we hadn't done a "budget" version since, after all, I had to keep reminding myself that this <em>is</em> <em>just </em>a basement that will only be "semi-finished". Because I didn't have the $900 it would have taken to do a wall to wall vanity area with the countertop (that's not even including sinks and faucets), we stalled the project. <br />
Finally, in a local antique store I spotted a rustic old plank table that had a greeny, glazey, cool crackley finish on it. It caught my eye right away and was around $200 or $250, I can't remember which, but the set-up of it was perfect!! It even had a flat back to go against the wall and an apron on the front to hide the sink bowls below. Noah cut the sink holes and dropped two basic white sinks in the top ($136.00 total for those and the faucets too) and I think it came out great! <br />
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I love the table's coloring with the black slate floors. Please ignore that we have no baseboards!<br />
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By the way, I settled on this floor. I knew it would be slate, but I wanted the same Rustic/California Gold (I think that's what it was called:/) slate that is in the entrance of Coldwater Creek clothing stores. I had to jump through hoops of fire with Coldwater Creek to get the color name, but when it priced out at $6.00/sf, I chose this box store black slate that was on sale for about $2.00/sf. That's cheap for slate and I liked the blue-green colors in it for the "boys bath". <br />
Even though I originally wanted something different, I know I can get other things to work just as well and accomplish a similar look, and oddly, I kind of find some excitement in the challenge of doing that!<br />
<br />I just need to add, I thought I might be 102 before Noah finished tiling that shower with EVERY piece of 3x6 white subway tile, but he did it and it looks great:) He's my hero! This was his first tile project. He has done a few "assistant" gigs with my brother-in-law and decided to take a crack at it alone here. Sink or swim! Subway tile is cost effective, classic, Very Bungalow! and never goes out of style. By the way, we had the floor pan for the shower prefessionally poured. When you don't feel confident on something as important as that, I think it's best to splurge for quality and re-assurance. It was either $150 or $200....I knew a guy;) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXf4426oIjSVZ-_hxx7P2_pGnjXsgFZx58JaHn4DRlYc2P2E1l0fZkvdzqbQ2TQy4zDzrl6RKi0Pv3P7XGCFJebYJWG6X4EgtJwA0kWXVVAUR36izxnRWZxKgdWYV13cL7_4pJCWHIhXI/s1600/shower1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXf4426oIjSVZ-_hxx7P2_pGnjXsgFZx58JaHn4DRlYc2P2E1l0fZkvdzqbQ2TQy4zDzrl6RKi0Pv3P7XGCFJebYJWG6X4EgtJwA0kWXVVAUR36izxnRWZxKgdWYV13cL7_4pJCWHIhXI/s320/shower1.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
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<br />Looking at bathroom pictures over the years, and loving our own little make-shift vanity has made me take notice to the really clever vanity ideas out there that could be super cost effective. This old sewing base I thought was sooooooo clever!! I probably would have wanted to do something like this (using two of them) if I hadn't already found the table.<br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2012/01/sneak-peek-chrissy-poitras-kyle-topping.html#more-124309" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">designsponge.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/lovelyfish/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">jane</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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With storage too!<br />
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This bicycle is an A-MAZ-ING idea too! What a cool way to use something that might be sentimental, or if you were a biker or something.<br />
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/212513676136148256/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="651" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/212513676136148256_ZcM1e742_c.jpg" width="435" /></a><br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.curbly.com/recent" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">curbly.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kaycichicka/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Kayci</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Again with the white subway tile...you just can't go wrong!<br />
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<br />Even an old dresser would have been cool if I could have found one large enough to visually fill up the 8' wall. The farm table we ended up with is 6', so we centered it with 12" on each side. I think this dresser/sink vanity is really beautiful and slightly modified for an opening at the bottom which looks good. I need a way to thoughtfully accessorize like this... ugh!...me and my dumb empty baskets! I WILL put something in them. As usual...waiting, waiting.<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/273453008594006622/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="635" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/273453008594006622_jWqWGvn5_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/252384/list/Turn-a-Favorite-Piece-of-Furniture-Into-a-Vanity/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">houzz.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/jadejadelee/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Jade</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Hope you like the pics and thanks for reading! Now to actually finish this bathroom, again...a door would be nice!<br />
Have a great day!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-33531750318381760062012-01-18T19:13:00.000-08:002012-02-01T14:51:50.302-08:00A William Morris Inspired Quest for Vintage.While reading the latest issue of Old House Journal a few weeks ago, I ran across a quote by a pillar of the Arts and Crafts movement Mr. William Morris, he says, "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful". Thank you WM for the great advice! <br />
I love this quote because I firmly believe every word of it. Nothing against "box store" decorating...sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, right?:) But it's such a better feeling to be surrounded by decor you love and cherish, and it's been somewhere and has a life of it's own...(sigh) <em><strong>like anything vintage.</strong></em> I had a yearning for a great vintage find so I decided to re-visit some of my fav stores in the lovely city of Des Moines, Iowa last weekend.<br />
First stop...West End Salvage. Great place in an old warehouse downtown with a coffee shop inside. Tons of cool stuff. Nothing I wanted to afford that day, but if you need something specific, he's probably got it. <a href="http://www.westendsalvage.com/">http://www.westendsalvage.com/</a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGQEV3JnrOekuNMDTAQ7gWvGeTNLY80DHvQVSYWDAADf0YkV5ebgYNCbZbCPbQanyhMrGYXbi85FUsTgCl3snE2ZCApGHazMG4gloU2PnScd6-yqRU9RbQ4UMjtYp65OBlsYnUV5PlGDI/s1600/SDC12708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGQEV3JnrOekuNMDTAQ7gWvGeTNLY80DHvQVSYWDAADf0YkV5ebgYNCbZbCPbQanyhMrGYXbi85FUsTgCl3snE2ZCApGHazMG4gloU2PnScd6-yqRU9RbQ4UMjtYp65OBlsYnUV5PlGDI/s320/SDC12708.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Straight from an Arts and Crafts bungalow, the traditional bookcases with pillars.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLsjsjKCnt_iyl3nYefOWp1VlO0rb61Ua6xzn41gHtOFCSlDqMXjrUgNvPxHb7GvplJQeNg2RlCyqldmF4xtv98xAZe_Xi7xsbXBTQlidMdznABSABR_XZehROv3ZT3P2CrfGTCKl57ZQ/s1600/SDC12709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLsjsjKCnt_iyl3nYefOWp1VlO0rb61Ua6xzn41gHtOFCSlDqMXjrUgNvPxHb7GvplJQeNg2RlCyqldmF4xtv98xAZe_Xi7xsbXBTQlidMdznABSABR_XZehROv3ZT3P2CrfGTCKl57ZQ/s320/SDC12709.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Second stop...Atomic Gargage in the Valley Junction area of Des Moines. Love their vintage clothes!<br />
<a href="http://www.valleyjunction.com/">http://www.valleyjunction.com/</a><br />
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What about this sweet Mommy and baby matching ensemble??? My friend Michelle spotted these relics right away. I wonder if Evan would wear this with me...<br />
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Atomic Garage <em>(above)</em> is all clothes (my other passion), but they have a sister store across the street <a href="http://aokayantiques.com/index.htm">http://aokayantiques.com/index.htm</a> that has incredible antiques, vintage decor, and the upstairs hosts an inspiring collection of some of the best retro era pieces of furniture. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxJjVFKJKK3xwGqlxtL91801yRArD0zHyf7TIZaFy1rV6DC9AhLekajSvkn06BeH03dH2iGY3drxeuMrCva3S1mtVxWthQaSsbm4LBLIgnmHaBJY0BcA2P0XurJ030AQuNxZ3ZsLV-rIQ/s1600/SDC12713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxJjVFKJKK3xwGqlxtL91801yRArD0zHyf7TIZaFy1rV6DC9AhLekajSvkn06BeH03dH2iGY3drxeuMrCva3S1mtVxWthQaSsbm4LBLIgnmHaBJY0BcA2P0XurJ030AQuNxZ3ZsLV-rIQ/s320/SDC12713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, I do believe it's the Eames 670 chair with ottoman...bow your heads...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgX2BphS0f-Qi3F767CP11RyYi3ptTPvluJ-vL3bEvCUeZ0Lbrwk-zV1K1siP4AMi83PzDt9am2-Ak2S_-J6pSkjELZJS1G78JSmSwuw9hXRYJtLZm7wq3LsLfnYGr7o9UMTlspRYdMBk/s1600/SDC12714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgX2BphS0f-Qi3F767CP11RyYi3ptTPvluJ-vL3bEvCUeZ0Lbrwk-zV1K1siP4AMi83PzDt9am2-Ak2S_-J6pSkjELZJS1G78JSmSwuw9hXRYJtLZm7wq3LsLfnYGr7o9UMTlspRYdMBk/s320/SDC12714.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>So great! I didn't buy anything but clothes. I know, right!? I'm frugal, what can I say... <br />
I bought a fun green printy shirt for spring, a sweet petal pink chiffon nightgown, and I regretfully did not buy this, but a sexy 70's black one piece pantsuit that I'm still kind of kicking myself over...I may end up calling for that later. Here's the shirt. My friend and I decided it'd be cute with some white linen pants for summer maybe.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the nighty..at least that's what I will be wearing it for.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqzlEY-bvg_q1-DQQHIRueMzbVE7Cb_SgOXQoS7j9S_6YPExxHxpUe4sS4G9PtEV8moM3tB4DvyXGGJ5ki16hCSbG51c11u-VphuPD0mCNdsBq3D2hT0UnJF3ccc6JOgzR8DlJD9EQbfJ/s1600/SDC12722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqzlEY-bvg_q1-DQQHIRueMzbVE7Cb_SgOXQoS7j9S_6YPExxHxpUe4sS4G9PtEV8moM3tB4DvyXGGJ5ki16hCSbG51c11u-VphuPD0mCNdsBq3D2hT0UnJF3ccc6JOgzR8DlJD9EQbfJ/s320/SDC12722.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's also a leopard vintage 1950's handbag I scored from a previous trip several years ago, but I still love it so much that I have to show you all. What a find!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-lglbwRAaS7zr7H3mmY9Csql5HSJsN_htOH8aLnO0rYjEo9AscTpFx9gu4ZMGSBFaJPkQwkQFtOXGiRLFnFWtK-oSNn-AcT6i68fg489N-yNrje7JW7T2ioKMvQRV3ugHlzTGr2rSFnS/s1600/SDC12727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-lglbwRAaS7zr7H3mmY9Csql5HSJsN_htOH8aLnO0rYjEo9AscTpFx9gu4ZMGSBFaJPkQwkQFtOXGiRLFnFWtK-oSNn-AcT6i68fg489N-yNrje7JW7T2ioKMvQRV3ugHlzTGr2rSFnS/s320/SDC12727.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>So there it is! My vintage search in a nutshell. I'm just finding little bits at a time, whether it's clothes or decor, and that's ok because I don't really have space just to get "stuff". I just buy what I love or find useful like ol' William Morris suggested. A special thanks to my friend and best shopping buddy Michelle for chauffering me all over town too. Love ya!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-64327306470571809802012-01-10T21:00:00.000-08:002012-02-01T14:53:55.086-08:00Great finds...and nowhere to put 'em!<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Once in a while, when I'm scouring my local thrift shops, I find something that speaks to me and I fall madly in love. I buy it of course, especially if it's a great deal because that's all part of the fun, but here's the problem...when you live in bungalow, you lack serious space, so I never have anywhere to put this great stuff! Here's some of my latest finds that I have lovingly tucked away in our un-finished upstairs for future use. At least <strong><em>I hope</em></strong> for future use:/</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">By the way...I have a future "master bedroom vision" for my upstairs that does not include stored goodies of past findings and it looks (in my head) something like the color palette and feel of this...</span><br />
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<div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/39931/Suzanne-s-Bedroom-Makeover-Win--bedroom-philadelphia"><img alt="Suzannes Bedroom Makeover Win bedroom" border="0" height="666" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/39931_0_8-2045--bedroom.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/bedroom" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">bedroom design</a></small></div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/39931/Suzanne-s-Bedroom-Makeover-Win--bedroom-philadelphia">http://www.houzz.com/photos/39931/Suzanne-s-Bedroom-Makeover-Win--bedroom-philadelphia</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">With this color vision always in the back of my mind, I stumbled upon this lovely soft gray grasscloth wallpaper at the Habitat Re-store (one of my hot spots. I snatched that up quick! Not sure how much it will cover, I need to measure it. It's so very "coastal glam" (a term I've coined.haha..) that would be so serene in a master bedroom.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aeodY63SGQqqIFicqDgmGRgXUV0S9laoSLYzEXXAWA9qxOOlCkyjTQB5R0bN7wPBPNSf2SLsYpHZj1jvOq8X8KY3oIGNlUtMe9bz22szVL4QIGWcaWk09CkFMWjkVftnVhKwzkIsO3JM/s1600/wallpaper3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aeodY63SGQqqIFicqDgmGRgXUV0S9laoSLYzEXXAWA9qxOOlCkyjTQB5R0bN7wPBPNSf2SLsYpHZj1jvOq8X8KY3oIGNlUtMe9bz22szVL4QIGWcaWk09CkFMWjkVftnVhKwzkIsO3JM/s320/wallpaper3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">$1.50 per roll, Thick, heavy, real, actual, grasscloth:) I'm in love...now...as to where it will hang...hmmm...no clue. But here is a similar bedroom palette with grasscloth walls so you have a visual of the texture. Fab!</span><br />
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<div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/142559/Minnesota-Private-Residence-traditional-bedroom-minneapolis"><img alt="Minnesota Private Residence traditional bedroom" border="0" height="334" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/142559_0_8-9343-traditional-bedroom.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional/bedroom" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">traditional bedroom design</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/architect/chicago" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">chicago architect</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/slavigne/cook-architectural-design-studio" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">COOK ARCHITECTURAL Design Studio</a></small></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I also found this cool bamboo folding chair at the Goodwill for $12.00 a while back. I winced a bit at the price because it could use a little stain touch up and I wouldn't exactly say it's the sturdiest chair I own. It has a hair of a wobble. But, a little tlc and tightening and it'll be so great. And where will it go you ask??? Ummmm...not sure, but I'm thrilled to see Ballard Designs carries these chairs for a pretty penny so I think I scored here!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQGdbhMkl7WpfYpCxF5dl5rpa0migj3CvPSl3lNNSKS_CzskhOltZVkQVfTbLfOKJhsOTJGqmP_5DMp9bIilcuYUGZ0da25eQOFTzCUg3XXEY_cZ0RDZjzXF0yUMR2J7bhqk73FQIT2zh/s1600/chair3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQGdbhMkl7WpfYpCxF5dl5rpa0migj3CvPSl3lNNSKS_CzskhOltZVkQVfTbLfOKJhsOTJGqmP_5DMp9bIilcuYUGZ0da25eQOFTzCUg3XXEY_cZ0RDZjzXF0yUMR2J7bhqk73FQIT2zh/s320/chair3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Ballard for $109</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ballarddesigns.com/bamboo-folding-chairs/42008">http://www.ballarddesigns.com/bamboo-folding-chairs/42008</a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ1jxUcNrl3Cf3fLWBlhyFcza0YNhR40mOLAmx3wOjVaQVtwHWJ-UkO0qYb-EfuQfp7jDtnO6jz3Sz4vbrewNeew7akVUFvK8EiHzQmcg0Z9KMwL0dJsSc_MUWJV-MvP21Wu08vVEMRuz/s1600/chair1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ1jxUcNrl3Cf3fLWBlhyFcza0YNhR40mOLAmx3wOjVaQVtwHWJ-UkO0qYb-EfuQfp7jDtnO6jz3Sz4vbrewNeew7akVUFvK8EiHzQmcg0Z9KMwL0dJsSc_MUWJV-MvP21Wu08vVEMRuz/s320/chair1.jpg" width="198" /></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Yay! $12</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Lastly, the Goodwill scouring has provided me with a super retro hanging globe light for $5.00. This is the find that I absolutely have no clue if I will ever use, but I love a little piece of nostalgia and it was in great condition so hey, why not! Price-wise I felt a score and since I saw this website had an identical one for $52.00. Yay again!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://http//www.laurelleaffarm.com/pages/lamps/ball-hanging-lamp.htm"><u><span style="color: navy;">http://www.laurelleaffarm.com/pages/lamps/ball-hanging-lamp.htm</span></u></a><u><span style="color: navy;"></span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-13904128438101498312011-12-19T20:22:00.000-08:002012-02-01T14:54:33.402-08:00Major Project 1...The new shed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzE315j8lxaMRha6WttwEj7_i_XwBmOHKtA4tsyEhGTTSX2WyTjreunYPDGBHBBwNNZHURo7A1cYZhQiSaYS3JnxA1wQiHAB0xWfOQHuUa54GWo1xM5wngTLz78jxpYksjIgrMvlxDrooP/s1600/108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzE315j8lxaMRha6WttwEj7_i_XwBmOHKtA4tsyEhGTTSX2WyTjreunYPDGBHBBwNNZHURo7A1cYZhQiSaYS3JnxA1wQiHAB0xWfOQHuUa54GWo1xM5wngTLz78jxpYksjIgrMvlxDrooP/s320/108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A huge storm swept through in the summer of 2008<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidp2FPbkOmjCM0d8voOc5mKhnLmlaRao0yAD5cz2RaHlTclfkdHxRszHvMxByIA4XPD4AXMjj93EtXcYbBSELdrnvkP6qM1t3NJ9arUemEGd_Xm3cco0fgQ31Ms54u7qYnRo26gt21VOgM/s1600/109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidp2FPbkOmjCM0d8voOc5mKhnLmlaRao0yAD5cz2RaHlTclfkdHxRszHvMxByIA4XPD4AXMjj93EtXcYbBSELdrnvkP6qM1t3NJ9arUemEGd_Xm3cco0fgQ31Ms54u7qYnRo26gt21VOgM/s320/109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Leaving our, already vulnerable, historic barn in shambles </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-6hFpqvqQKvZEDfkFSc58EsGZJ3iKU-wzIetOu35q1WUicanQv8HffpnOf6wOhTuYc369x-bmYQ_JZlNnHJ18CjBpbDuC1xt1HVnYxf0nZtwWx8SYHGna3AyZnyG5Gn8FYrl0uMCVYnW/s1600/111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-6hFpqvqQKvZEDfkFSc58EsGZJ3iKU-wzIetOu35q1WUicanQv8HffpnOf6wOhTuYc369x-bmYQ_JZlNnHJ18CjBpbDuC1xt1HVnYxf0nZtwWx8SYHGna3AyZnyG5Gn8FYrl0uMCVYnW/s320/111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The clean-up was a very slow process, but we saved what we could.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let me just say that my husband has NEVER built anything like this. A stud wall, yes. A building, no, just learning along the way. The goal was to salvage what we could since we desperately needed the storage and were on a serious budget. Afterall, this was/IS! a piece of our property's history, so we decided to build a shed and found a design that fit our needs with what we had left to work with. Board-wise it wasn't enough for the roof unfortunately.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, here is where we are with the new "shed" which actually ended up being just a <strong>hair</strong> bigger. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But after months in the making...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it's pretty much at a standstill. Ha ha. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But, slow and steady is more our style I guess. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stay tuned for more pics as we progress. Happy holidays!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>If only we had extra barnboard...maybe we could just whip this up too (wink;)</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Recycled barnboard tiny house" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/201606520788658280_ZPmZEGFn_b.jpg" style="height: 192px;" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.riseoverrun.biz/the-backyard-house.html">http://www.riseoverrun.biz/the-backyard-house.html</a></div><a class="Button WhiteButton Indicator Offscreen" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8071441319224430898#" id="ScrollToTop"><strong>Scroll to Top</strong></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071441319224430898.post-40182278448790899722011-12-12T19:59:00.000-08:002012-02-01T14:55:10.999-08:00One of my holiday favs - The "fancy chandy"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-2UHhx8ZH7MpH6hcXHHbnN3IDoxq7Gc8u0sX2dAEis4bcB6UnrNLc_UYOanlQ0PyzQp_8Hs8CyR2MaMfMzyOFbzUDsbRcJR84hwDQqrvx_blzFALM8yHWB7w69c8JnvUx9CKUvvWsZbm/s1600/R1-03876-0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-2UHhx8ZH7MpH6hcXHHbnN3IDoxq7Gc8u0sX2dAEis4bcB6UnrNLc_UYOanlQ0PyzQp_8Hs8CyR2MaMfMzyOFbzUDsbRcJR84hwDQqrvx_blzFALM8yHWB7w69c8JnvUx9CKUvvWsZbm/s320/R1-03876-0009.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rXjlcFHchp2o8s_J85LIstZK-mqrE47D_UYGWC82F8VOSbo1-uGsLyoM3SMSmwBGZXMzc1QH3Ky0jXI5fCkA7Niiw-NsqX_pXuBKzJvTOFi-7jCR8dGitpNs-c5xnEGjeXGw5fRs_-RI/s1600/R1-03876-0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rXjlcFHchp2o8s_J85LIstZK-mqrE47D_UYGWC82F8VOSbo1-uGsLyoM3SMSmwBGZXMzc1QH3Ky0jXI5fCkA7Niiw-NsqX_pXuBKzJvTOFi-7jCR8dGitpNs-c5xnEGjeXGw5fRs_-RI/s320/R1-03876-0003.jpg" width="216" /></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I love chandeliers! Even if I have to make them myself. Since a traditional bungalow leaves little room "decking the halls", my dining room's basic black chandy is a chance for me to add a little bling during the holidays. Even at work we managed to hang a pre-lit wire tree upside down (the biggest we could find of course) and hang a little sparkle:)</span> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08383188400155583624noreply@blogger.com1