House to Home: Outdoor Dreaming

after the winter we've had, i have never been so happy to see our bulbs coming up.  i have been counting the flowers around the garden, showing them to Maku whenever i can.

i have been thinking about planting flowers and cleaning up our outdoor living space, here are some of our inspirations.

#1 - porch
our front porch is larger than the back, and we have enough space for a large wicker couch as well as an armchair with ottoman & rocking chair.  these were hand me downs from my aunt and came with some nice cushions, but the covers have met their end.  i've been looking for new fabric options, and am ready to hit the upholstery shop.

one option is to go with a greenish grey print - mix stripes and florals, similiar to what it was originally covered with but updated.

 

Richloom Solarium Outdoor Maitlin Pool

Richloom Solarium Outdoor Kirkwood Pool

i am pretty much sold on this color combination, however.

that is what we have, and this is what i have pinned, some of my favorites...are you noticing any trends?

 

future planning...

next year i think will be the year to paint the exterior of the house, replace our fencing and do an outdoor fireplace/ patio in the far rear.  for that, i am lusting over a spun fiberglass dining set.

found this on craigslist columbus.  fingers crossed for husband approval.  $450.00 (steal!)

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

House to Home - Small Steps

Upward and onward!  

We are slowly but steadily making our way to finishing up the second floor bedroom renovations. I posted earlier about our master bed purchase, which has since arrived.  It's currently in our dining room waiting to be opened & assembled.

Our master closet will have his and hers as well as a center media center with some shelving - all behind some sweet mirrored doors.  We had a custom closet company quote it for us for an exhorbitant amount but we loved it.  In the end we decided that it was not worth paying that amount for a closet in a house we may not stay in for more than five years.  Our general contractor is finishing it up for us now and we're excited to see the final outcome, check out our inspiration pics and progress pics!

We have since found our guest bed, a sweet daybed from Ballard as well - we had $250 in Gift Certificates plus 20% promo - which got us under the tag price by $100!  Sweet.  Here's the bed and here's our inspiration for the room.  We loved the neutrals of the room with a sweet chinoiserie brass chandelier & simple relaxed roman shades.

In the guest room we're also putting in a closet.  The space is super awkward, basically under the attic stairs, so we're going with shutter doors with a kind of odd interior BUT it will work! ...and I'm started to get psyched about a bleached style.

Friday Finds

I am addicted to Craigslist and window shopping - hey a girl can dream, right?!  Here's a few of my vintage finds from the week for you to enjoy.

Super sweet set of twin beds with some super sweet upholstery - $200.00.

 

Classic Bentwood Rocker, $10!

Nice set of Lane chrome & brass tables - Console, Square Lamp Table, 2 Bunching Tables- $180.00

Vintage channel back chair $55

SAHM - My Schedule

SAHM - never did I ever think I would be using this acronym after working in a corporate enviroment with P&G, who are the kings of acronyms!  (Seriously, when I was hired I was given a spreadsheet of acronyms!)  Now that I am out of that world and into the world of working 2 days a week for a family company, I think I can pretty much call myself a SAHM.  To be honest, I had a struggle getting my grounding after becoming a mom.  I had a rough delivery, a rough recovery, and an emotional first year. Now that Maku is 2 and more independent (hello toddlerhood!), I am seeing the huge benefits to having a schedule even if I am a SAHM.

First off, I get up early.  Like early.  Like 5am early.  Why?  I can do mornings, and once I wash my face & move around a bit I am pretty much awake.  I get up, have a cup of coffee, and try to get in a workout.  I take a shower and am ready by the time Maku is up.

We try to get out in the morning, we go to a Waldorf preschool program on Mondays then have tumbling on Wednesdays.  Fridays we have a free morning to do whatever we want.  After our morning activities, we head home for lunch around 11/12.  Play outside and really wind down for a nap at 1pm.  Maku is a great napper, sleeping from 1pm to about 3pm.  I've gotten into a really bad habit of just lounging around for that time, but am kicking myself into gear.  I am trying to get creative during that time, or squeezing in another workout or prepping food for dinner.

In the late afternoon, we try to get outside and take a long walk then come back home to prepare dinner around 5pm.  P is home by 6pm and I try to have dinner ready for us to eat as soon as he's home.  It's easier to sit down right away and focus on being a family again.  P usually takes her after dinner for a walk or playing outside before a bath & some TV time.  While they are getting their daddy & daughter time, I try to get in some cleaning.  8pm is bedtime, with a few books, but it takes her until about 9pm to fall asleep.  

I am committing to no TV at night anymore and not jumping on my phone either. I am trying to just unplug in the evenings. So that's it...that's my day!

2014 Home Goals - Make this House a Home!

making this house a home...

Last year, we started off with the goal of renovating our kitchen - we had spent two years looking at horrid pantries, with no storage, no dishwasher and a outdated range & fridge.  But, we did it - we made a great space and are ready to move on to our next goal for 2014.  We have been in our house for 3 years, moved in January 2011, and have yet to make the house a "home".  Sure, we've hung maybe 5 pieces of artwork, and bought some sweet Craigslist finds, but there is nothing warm and welcoming about it.

For 2014, we're trying to tackle the following home goals, and I'm going to share every question and decision for the process with you!

Finish renovating.   

We have a small, dated first floor bath that we are ready to go with.  Everything is picked out, we just need to make the purchases and schedule our contractor.  In addition, we are re-tiling the fireplace to create more cohesion to the rest of the home. 

Soften it up.  

We have hardwood throughout the house, a beautiful old pine, that we love but that needs to be softened and warmed up with rugs.  There are a few Tibetan rugs that we bought in Nepal and love, but we need more.  Additionally, we scouted out a runner for the stairs and are ready to buy & install.

Furnish.  

Confession:  Our mattress is 10 years old, I bought it when I moved back to Cincinnati.  It is horrible and uncomfortable, and we need a new one.

Confession:  Our guest room bed, soon to be Maku's big girl bed, is from my cousin.  It has her mattresses too. 

Whew!  That feels better to get it off my shoulders.  We suck at buying things, things we need and things we want.  Partially because we hate spending money, but it's got to stop when it is hurting us.

Our first big purchase was this beautiful bed from Ballard Designs - we went with the Susan Kasler Linen Parchment upholstery, nuetral and classic. 

Stop Cheating!!!

Good god, this addiction to sugar has to stop. 

Confession:

• Blue Icee last night
• 3 donuts this morning

Honestly it's all stress, emotional eating.

However, I was able to manage Day 1 of Jillian's 30 Day Shred yesterday - burn baby burn.  And gong to hit it again today along with a run, part of my Couch to 5K plan.

As Jillian says - Pain is fear leaving the body.

Eating CLEAN Never Tasted So Good!

I started eating clean a few days ago, Saturday to be exact, and it has not been easy and I haven't been perfect but I feel amazing.  Hands down, amazing.

My cheats were 100% sugar - those cravings are way harder than salty.  In fact on Monday night I actually baked myself a pineapple upside down cake at 8pm and promptly ate a slice before bed.  It was delicious.  It was not a good idea - I got an amazing headache afterwards and did not feel the best in the morning.  In fact, every time I cheated and did not eat clean, I felt like crap afterwards - after the cake, after the pie, after the donut, after the popcorn, after the coke.  Ugh.

But every time I did eat clean and stayed clean, my energy levels were amazing and I felt great.  I am so happy I started "cleaning" up my act and am actually excited to keep it going.