Makes me Laugh

I have to share this with you. I ran across this video via the Small Things Blog and it literally made me laugh out loud. Not the laughing out loud like this:

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But literally. Here it is. Enjoy. And happy weekend.

Latest Inspiration

I've made a few bloggy changes: changed the look, added some more favorite blogs (check them out under the "Blogs I Love" tab!), and jumped on the "follow me on Pinterest!" blog button train. But really, feel free to. It's over on the right.

Like most folks, a good chunk of my online time is spent on Pinterest. Here's the latest inspiration that I'm lovin'.

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Source     Isn't the texture great? I love the shiny/metal/glass/rusty/woven basket/chunky blanket-ness of this console table. Fabulous.

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Source Who doesn't want a lime door with a Moravian star lantern? No one, that's who.

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Source Boxwood in woven baskets!

Off to watch the "Big Game" (Notre Dame vs. 'Bama). I've got an Irish-fan-of-a-husband who has been expectantly waiting for this night for a looong time. Happy 2013!

Piece of Candy

Oh my. Has it really been four months since my last post? My apologies.

Of course, the best thing to do after a long absence is to share a YouTube video. I thought I'd post one of my new favorites.

It's the kind that you watch seven times in a row, like this one, which is also a favorite.

 

 

If you don't find these funny, you need to adjust your sense of humor. 

Style: What I don't like.

Is this an okay post to write? It seems rather negative. I just came across a photo epitomizing what I don't like design and decor wise. Here she is:

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There seems to be a theme of extreme eclecticism sweeping the design world, and I most definitely am not on board. At all. A few funky/strange things in a room add interest. A moderate amount seems artsy. But Exhibit A above is just plain ugly. I apologize if you love this room. You would probably hate my living room.

One of the main aspects of extreme eclecticism that I don't care for is that these types of rooms often seem sparse and uncomfortable. Point and case:

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I'm imagining this invitation:

"Hi ______ (insert name here). Want to hang out tonight? You can sit in the wooden chair and stair at the corner, and I'll lounge on my pile of pillows leaning against the wall. Bring your new book too- we installed a great new ceiling light for you to read by!"

I love cohesive color, cozy and inviting rooms, well lit spaces, and above all, spaces that generally look like there has been some thought put into them. Like a chair with padding beats one without. Every time.

HOWEVER, there are exceptions. Take a looksee:

This space is beautiful! It's very eclectic but it works. There's comfortable place to sit, for one. And the color palate is fun and punchy. Compare this room with the first room (here it is again):

No comparison, right? The fun, punchy room looks like someone put some thought into it. The drab, random room looks just that.

And I'm done now.

Catalog Living

For those of you who enjoy getting a Pottery Barn, Ballard Designs, or Crate and Barrel catalog in the mail, you'll find the spoof blog"Catalog Living" amusing. Here's my favorite:

...and a few other top contenders:

He is Risen!

Oh, to see my name written in the wounds, for through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death; life is mine to live, won through Your selfless love!

This, the power of the cross: Son of God—slain for us!
What a love! What a cost! We stand forgiven at the cross.

The Lord is Risen indeed! Happy Easter!

New Camera!

Move over three-second-battery-I-won't-photograph-green-anymore Cannon Powershot- my new digital SLR Nikon is taking over! (Thanks to a very thoughtful and generous husband, in celebration of my birth:)

Now I just have to figure out how to use it.

PS. We're 100% finished with the board and batten- it looks amazing! I've been waiting for optimal morning lighting to capture photos with my new buddy, so hopefully there will be some much improved photos tomorrow.

Measure Twice, Cut Once

I have a confession to make. I sometimes lay awake at night thinking about board and batten in our entry way. It gets worse. This morning, it was the first thing I thought about when I woke up. (Is this a sickness, people?) I don't know why: my Strengths Finder says that I'm an Activator, and that once my mind is set on something I like to forage ahead with it, getting irritated with others who stand in my path. Yikes.

This has been a project on my mind for months, I just hadn't done anything about it. So today I did. I mocked it up with painters tape, read online tutorials, and took countless measurements. Then I measured again. And just for good measure (pun!), measured again.

Off to Home Depot I went, feeling a little fearful: I've never shopped in the lumber department, let alone gotten boards cut to my specs. 90 minutes later (yes, this took a while) I left feeling proud of myself that I'd conquered my fear, gone to Home Depot without my husband, and manged to get everything I needed cut to length. By myself.

At home, I excitedly pulled out the board and batten pieces to show my him how it will look. Except some of boards are too short. All of the vertical ones, in fact. Every single one.

Moral of the story: Measure not twice, not three times, but four times, apparently, before cutting. Or at least if you're me.

Good Enough

While blog hopping this afternoon, I ran across this posting from a blog called The Inspired Room. It's such a good reminder of priorities and not to turn good things (even budget decorating!) into an idol and a time hog. Which I can have tendencies to do sometimes- ugg! Here's a teaser:

"How long could we be content with what we have right now? When I declare to myself that I am in a “good enough” season, it helps me to refocus my eyes off of ME and MY OWN WORLD. When I really enjoy something, like working on my home or even something like blogging, it is easy for it to become an obsession and a self-absorbed addiction. And that is just not a good thing for me. I need to find balance for my own health and well-being, as well as for that of my family. I need to step away sometimes. When I am in a 'good enough season,' I am freed up all the more to open my home to others and volunteer my time for other things. If I fill up my free time being outwardly focused, I have less free time to obsess over details of my own house. A 'good enough season' keeps me from falling into the trap of perfectionism and helps me remember that I already have all the blessings I need."

Read the whole thing though, it's helpful and refreshing. Check it out!

 

Weekend Steals and Deals

I hit a mini jackpot last weekend as far as super duper deals and clearance items are concerned. I’ve been eyeballing this area rug at Target for almost a year, but definitely would NOT pay $129 for it. This spring, I found it at a Salvation Army that carries new Target items for cheap, but it still was too expensive for my taste at $60. Finally, last weekend I spotted it on clearance for $32. Exciting? Yes! I snatched it up. Take a look:

And here it is in it's new home. My puppy has already pulled up a few snags already, so it might have to go back into storage until he's more grown up. It's so cute though, I might just keep it out and be diligent :)

Score! Mom and I also went to the North Oaks Rummage Sale . Most of the good stuff goes within a few hours of opening (an early 7 AM!). It’s held in a hockey arena, and the entire thing is packed with stuff. I found some great deals (however, I apologize for the crappy picture):

The glass cloche already has a home in my living room. The best part is, I'd been looking at them online for a while, and found this one for a buck.

Don't you just love a good bargain? :D

I'm switching over from from Wordpress...

... and re-posting everything thus far (no worries, there have only been a handful of entries). I apologize for the repeat postings, I'd just hate to loose them! :)