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Thursday, February 24, 2011

{our bathroom project}

Tim and I are dreamers. We are constantly coming up with ideas, projects, prospective businesses and so on. Fortunately, only about 5% of those dreams actually emerge into reality and when they do, we have a great time making it "happen".  The kicker is, 99% of the time, the 5% that happen are things that together we think would be good ideas (are you getting a visual with all of the percentages?). Anyways, I admit...our bathroom project was totally my idea - and that little fact haunted me for the entire project (When you live in a one bathroom house, you kind of need the bathroom. There is no getting around it). I had always hated our previous bathroom. The blue walls, the cheap vanity, the disgusting linoleum tile - hated it all. For some reason, none of those things ever bothered Tim the way it did me. I would walk in there and cringe. After 3 1/2 years, I needed to change it. Michael (the most wonderful brother in the world) agreed to help and after six months of concrete board, grout, and tile sitting in my basement, we decided to tackle the project at the end of January. What else were we gonna do? Stare at the snow? Oh, I should mention, Tim and I have completely unrealistic expectations on how long construction projects should take. Actually not just construction projects, EVERYTHING. We are like Marshall and Lilly when they found out they were pregnant....(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvLnc69baAw) We thought it would take a week. Four weeks later...I feel like I am at a bed and breakfast every time I step foot in the bathroom. It's the smallest room in the house, but it sure does pack some "cute without trying too hard" personality.

Before:



During :


Michael and Tim pulled up two layers of linoleum and took it down to the bare bones.
 

I laid the tile and painted the room. I wanted a white on white look - very subtle.

























Dad came over and put some pipes into the wall. He also built a bracket to hang the sink.




After:

I'm sorry, I just adore this sink.

Our cabinet got a make-over. I added crown molding and a little punch inside.



The bathroom will be topped off with the mirror above. It's on back-order.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

{february}


Being a cornball, as my sister would say, is SO MUCH FUN (and totally necessary)!! Let's just say, for the entire month of February, we have really enjoyed going to bed. I think I'll keep it that way for a few more weeks.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

{birthday weekend}



Tim always does a great job making me feel like the only person in the world on my birthday. He surprised me, yet again, when he let me pick from a few different day trips. I had lots to chose from, but we decided to stay in "The Big City" and go to all of my favorite places. We hit up an Irish pub for apps, went to Latte Land for tea and coffee, roamed through Kemper for a while and then came home and had Waldo pizza and watched a movie. He sure knows the way to my heart. PS. You saw that right, I'm officially old - I asked for towels for my birthday.

Tim wasn't the only one to celebrate with me. I got to see all of my favorite people Friday night, along with Saturday morning. Sara and Meagan - thanks for the fabulous morning. I have the BEST friends! Katie - you totally topped ALL other birthday gifts this year with the globe. Zach - you're the only one who gets a picture because you worked the hardest. Mom- Only you would buy me a life-size horse head knowing that I would LOVE it. Thanks! ALL OF YOU!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

{flannigan's right hook}

We have been regulars at 75th Street Brewery since the day we moved to Waldo. Honestly, the simple fact that there was a brewery in the neighborhood made Tim want to live here. He probably would have bought anything. When we first moved in, the Brewery offered $.75 beers and live music on Wednesdays. Yes, you read it right, $.75 beers! Good ones, too! So, almost every Wednesday we would meet our friend Ryan and listen to live music. Ahh...those were the days. As you can imagine, $.75 beer is no longer available and live music on Wednesdays eventually faded out. Recently, the Brewery has been promoting their Wednesday nights live music again, but we seem to be homebodies with this cold weather,  and haven't gone more than once. Ryan told us about a great band that was playing and we made no excuse not to go. He saw them at the Weston Irish fest and was really impressed. We got there and the band was fantastic. Flannigan’s Right Hook is an Irish band, which we all were really excited about, but they ended up playing and eclectic mix of Pearl Jam to Bob Dylan. They are playing again tonight at Raglan Road and if you have the chance, go!

Anyways, moral of the story, never make an excuse to stay home when you have great music and friends just a mile down the road. http://flannigansrighthook.com

Tuesday, February 08, 2011

{goofballs}

Who says you can't be seven again? This is from our trip to Weston. Carlos shot and edited this video. GREAT music, Carlos! ;)

Saturday, February 05, 2011

{chairs with socks?}

Chairs with socks? Whaaat? Yes! We got a magazine not too long ago that had an article on reviving an old chair. Now, we don't own any old chairs, but we do own a couple of bar height stools that we keep in the living room for extra guests. They are simple and clean stools that lack personality. So, why not give them some personality for free? I grabbed my brush, paint, tape and sandpaper and in about twenty minutes, voila, they were wearing socks! Can a chair have any more personality?

 


If you'd like to see more images of other chairs with socks, visit http://veneerdesigns.com/blog/?p=1084

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

{vintage signs}

I've had a thing for old signs for quite some time now, but I can never seem to find one that suits my space. Also, I can't bring myself to pay very much for one. After finding inspiration from some photos I found while looking at bathroom remodels, I decided to tackle this job myself. I went to my new favorite store (Habitat for Humanity ReStore) and spent $2.00 on an old piece of wood. Below is my inspiration and the final product.




http://www.countryliving.com/homes/house-tours/contrasting-textures-colors-0206?click=img_sr
Ahhh...looking at these spaces just makes me want to slip away to them.

Anyways, I wanted to make a sign that looked like it came from an old greenhouse or plant nursery. I liked the idea of it having something to do with Tim's planting. I asked Tim to come up with the name and he decided on "Spriessen" which is German for the word "sprout". I really enjoyed making it and I think it turned out pretty nice. So, here is the progression of my $2.00 sign...





Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

{blizzard 2011}

Tim worked from home yesterday and it wasn't until about 6:00 that the two of us ventured outside. We had been cooped up all day and needed a walk. Mason was feeling it, too, so the three of us bundled up and went outside. We ran (yes, in our snow boots and all) to Price Chopper to pick up a movie and some Pale Ale. Our way back was a little slower (it's hard to run with a 12-pack) and we were able to soak in the beautiful views. The park was as still as could be and there was no sign of life in sight. As soon as we got home Tim rushed in and grabbed the camera...








In closing, I would like to dedicate this post to BLIZZARD MAN!! 



Wednesday, February 02, 2011

{home}

What makes us feel so attached to our home? Can our home change or will certain places always feel like home? Can home be more than just a building? My home is this house, the house Tim and I live in. But I feel so attached to other homes - the home I grew up in and even the home Tim grew up in. 

Many times I have walked through my front door and felt overcome with comfort. It is a place where Tim and I can be the most real and relaxed. It is a place I feel connected to. I look around and see our life - the ever changing decor, the gardens out every window, the photos of our family, and the keepsakes from vacations. I feel fortunate to have a place that feels so good.

That feeling of being home comes when I walk into my parents house on Sunday afternoons. The smell of food, the chatter of family, and grandpa in the rocking chair. It's a different feeling than walking into my own home, but it's definitely home. It's almost like I don't have to worry about anything there. I forget about all of life's stress and just enjoy myself.

Since Tim and I started dating, I have loved our trips back to Linn. Linn now feels like my home, too. As soon as we walk through the door I am welcomed with a feeling of comfort. I never thought a place that wasn't mine to begin with would feel so much like home. I haven't quite figured out what it is, but I love being there.

I feel lucky to have one place to call home, but it seems like I have three.