The Pinterest Flop

Hi Everyone,
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!

Source: homediypins.com via dragunette on Pinterest

Is it just me who has butchered this? You do have to water the seeds, correct?

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. 
But hey...the seeds have sprouted right?!  Ha ha.  Thanks Pinterest, love ya!
Have a great weekend:)

-Jess xoxo

Sister's Garden and Bloom

Hello everyone!
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.

There are two houses FULL of great antiques, uniques and flea market finds.

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!:)
Also, around every corner were goodies and treats much to Evan's delight!

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  http://www.sistersgardeniowa.blogspot.com/

Another project I guess:)  Noah will be thrilled (wink wink).
Have a great week!

-Jess xoxo

Little Projects and Simple Things That Make Me Happy

Hi Everyone!
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:) 

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.

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.

Remember what that sofa looked like when I bought it?

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!

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.

Here was the before

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.

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. 
Who knows what I'll find.

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:)

Have a great week!  Thanks for reading:)

-Jess xoxo

New Roof/Skylight Reveal

Hi Everyone,
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!

 

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. 

 

 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. 

 

 

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! 

Maybe a little something like this perhaps...

 

Source: hometalk.com via Jessica on Pinterest

 A girl can dream, right?!

Toodles, back to work.

 

-Jess xoxo



The Gossip Girl Fashion Show

Since 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. 
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.

The Pinochio hat with the little feather.  I...must....have.....one...... (even though it was last fall)

I know, it reminds me of the 80's too.  Which is why it's so cool!  Sorry for the small pics.

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.

Just for be-bopping around Paris in what's called the "cage dress".  Loving the hat too.

The backwards suit.  And not the weird Celine Dion kind from the late 90's!

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.

Serena's gray lace dress. Amazing.

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.

I love this.

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.

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!

xoxo - Jess

Pumkinhead

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. 

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.

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!

 

xoxo - Jess

Cancer 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...
1.  You learn to cry.  And in front of anyone anywhere.
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.
3.  You learn your body/life no longer belongs to you and it probably never did.  This is beyond my control.
4.You learn how much you love yourself, your family, and your life.  No one wants to lose that.
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.

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.

xoxo - Jess

Another 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...

Our plan is to eat them until we can't stand them any more:)  Good thing they only come once a year.

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!
-Jess xo

And Speaking of Walls, What to do with a Stone Wall

Hello 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.

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 may be trapped inside the circle, eeek!

landscape design by portland landscape architect Samuel H. Williamson Associates

Maybe an aged look?  This reminds me of a wall on the grounds of an English Castle!

Source: buzzfeed.com via Michael on Pinterest

Or we could fill the foundation in with dirt and plant beautiful ornamental grasses and other "maintenance free" plants? I love ornamental grass.

Source: houzz.com via JennyandTony on Pinterest

I also thought we could put a little picket fence on top of the wall and a gate like this maybe?
It could be a good garden area.

Source: thisoldhouse.com via Sheila on Pinterest

Here's a couple of pics showing how we could move and re-purpose the stone.
Maybe to surround a pergola like this closer to the house?
Or use the stones for a bench or barbeque or something? I don't know what do you think?!

Source: dswa.ca via Ed on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Kelli on Pinterest

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!

Source: Uploaded by user via Dawn on Pinterest

Have a great week!!
-Jess xo

Yes...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? 
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 this tunnel.  Let's check out this progress then.  Remember this picture from a previous post?

Cut to, right this second...

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.

Pretty maids all in a row.

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!

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?!
Happy Easter!

-Jess xo

A New Ceiling...What To Do?

Hello Everyone!
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?... 

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?

Maybe something like this?  On a smaller scale of course

bedroom design by new york architect Workshop/apd

 Or something like this?  No beams.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic/bedroom

Or maybe something using our old barn beams still stacked outside?


http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/FE.FI.FAUX.FUM--Painting.And.Faux.Finishing.205-915-2629/picture/view/1653314

Maybe that's a little much:/  Or maybe just stick with plain old drywall. 
Keep it clean and simple and focus on really cool decor like this photo below...

Source: flickr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

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.


-Jess xo