Psst...Over Here...

Hello friends! I have decided to take my show on the road...you can find me here now. My life has changed so much over the past year and let's face it Facebook is so easy! Come find me there, too!
I have created a new blog to support my new venture as a "designer"...
I hope you will come visit me, as a few friendly faces are always nice when you are starting something new!
Life with Lulu has been a blast and I am so grateful for all the friendships it brought to my life! I'll be closing "lulu" in a week or so!
best,
h.

Dreaming of the Beach Already

A few weeks back, I mentioned we were looking at moving to a small farm...those plans have been tabled until the new year. I think about the farm all the time, continue to drive by and check the listing online...MBM, has moved on. And by moved on, I mean hasn't given a second thought and is more focused on the beach house. If we were to move to the farm, our beach house plans (knock down and rebuild)  would be years and years and years away...you know, because this all cost money and we have three kids to educate. Those are the things I forget about...thanks goodness for MBM to reel me back in!
We have been talking more about the beach house and yesterday in the mail we received a real estate magazine for our beach town and surrounding towns...this is getting really long...sorry ...
Anyway, we came across an architect and fell in love with his work. And while looking at his online portfolio found houses that we have photographed to use as inspriation when it is time for the wreaking ball!

Take a look...I love EVERY detail in his work!
ENJOY!

I should mention, our house and lot are tiny...so don't get the wrong idea...he would need to design something in minature!

Before and After

My client, a stay at home mom of two young boys need helpwarming up her dining room. She LOVES blue (thank goodness since she is in a house full of boys) her goal was pretty! I think that is exactly what we got!

BEFORE

AFTER

We warmed up the paint color, changed out the area rug, repositioned the dining chairs, and added lovely flat panel drapery on the windows. The windows in this room are small, so we hung the drapery hardware about 8" past the molding on both sides to give the illusion of larger windows and to gain as much light as possible.

Drapery fabric...lovely Ralph Lauren soft blue, yellow, cream floral.

With the left over fabric, I recovered the shades for the buffet lamps.

This is the only eating area in the house...wouldn't you love to start your day with coffee and toast in this pretty room?

Nada

I've got nothing! I don't know if I am really busy and can't find the time or I just really have nothing to say...
Thinking about changing things up....

Road Trip

MBM and I are leaving bright and early tomorrow morning, like 5:00 AM, for Wilmington, North Carolina.

He will be racing in the Beach to Battleship Triathlon and I will be taking in the sites and shops! I have always wanted to go to Wilmington, ever since I found out this and this were filmed there. CapeSide and Tree Hill are second to my favorite TV town Stars Hollow...should be fun!!

Any suggestions were to eat or places I must see...please, I am all ears!

Halloween

A Hippie

Tinker Bell

A Nerd

Seven

Lulu's 7th Birthday! UGH, SEVEN...my baby girl is seven! She had a costume party and loved every second of it!

The table all set for cake and ice cream.

I decided to forgo the goody bags and just do chocolate covered pretzels for the kids to share with their families.

Pumpkin Bowling Lane

Spooky Cake

 Guesstimate the Monster Eye Balls

Costume Contest Awards...Caroline and Emma were the judges.

My girls waiting for the guest to arrive

The Mummy Wrap Game

Pumpkin Bowling

Make a WISH!

Good time had by all! My wish for Lulu this year is to stay seven forever!

Before and After

Before...french door with faux wood blinds.

After:

I installed these yesterday. The pictures do not do these justice...they turned out BEAUTIFUL. If I do say so myself....TOOT TOOT...oh, excuse me that was me just tooting my own horn!

At my suggestion the homeowner is going to paint the doors black. I think it will make a huge difference.
This is the first time I have made romans like this...lined, with dowel pockets in the lining, wieghted at the bottom and three lined up in a row. I was thrilled with the finished product. Everything hung straight and level and the pattern in the fabric matched all the way across!
A lot of fun to make...except hand sewing on all the rings...OUCH! I think the girls bathroom needs some new roman shades!

The pictures of the blind down didn't turn out very well...BOO HOO

Back Burner

A few weeks ago, I mentioned greener pastures for us...well we have put the whole thing on the back burner.  After meeting with the realtor we have a clearer picture of the housing market and mortgage crisis. ...the housing market is in the potty, we would take a hit on our house, if we could sell it at all (only 3 houses in our price range, in our school district have sold in the last six months...UGH!!!!), we are heading into the holidays which is a TERRIBLE time to try to sell, not to mention try to keep the house tidy for showings.
So, we are going to revisit the move after the new year...from what we have learned, we are pretty confident the farm house isn't going to sell before then...all goes back to the mortage crisis. And if it should sell...then it wasn't meant to be!
My yard sale was rained out...so my dining room is still a mess. I am planning on dragging everything into the garage until the rescheduled date of the 31st, yes, Halloween as if yard sales are creepy enough!
Our house has no signs of fall in it that is my goal today! As usual...late to the party!

Yard Sale!

This  is the current state of my dining room. I am preparing for a yard sale on Saturday. This doesn't even scratch the surface of what will be out there for sale.

I have been going through every closet, drawer, and cabinet, if I don't LOVE it or if it is not imperative to our survival...it goes.

Furniture, clothes, shoes, window treatments, pictures, kitchen stuff, knick knacks, books, electronics...

and I have priced things to move because once it is out of the house it is NOT coming back in! I am considering selling my wedding gown...what do you think?

Thanks Preppy Sue for the tag...I am thrilled to play along!

So here are the rules:

You Can Only Use One Word!
Pass this along to 6 of your favorite bloggers!
Alert them that you have given them this award!

Have Fun!



1. Where is your cell phone? purse

2. Your hair? brown


3. Your mother? busy

4. Your father? retired

5. Your favorite food? Italian

6. Your dream last night? nada

7. Your favorite drink? wine

8. Your dream/goal?  simplify

9. What room are you in? office

10. Your hobby? sewing

11. Your fear? failure

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? farm

13. Where were you last night? bedroom

14. Something that you aren’t? jealous

15. Muffins? pumpkin

16. Wish list item?  barn

17. Where did you grow up? Pennsylvania

18. Last thing you did? laundry

19. What are you wearing? pajamas

20. Your TV? off

21. Your pets? dog

22. Friends? true

23. Your life? full

24. Your mood? content

25. Missing someone? neice/nephew

26. Vehicle? Volvo

27. Something you’re not wearing?  shoes

28. Your favorite store? Target

29. Your favorite color? Green

30. When was the last time you laughed?  last night

31. Last time you cried? finish line

32. Your best friend? Matt

33. One place that I go to over and over? market

34. One person who emails me regularly? MIL

35. Favorite place to eat? Mom's

Tag your it!
        KERRY
        BEACHY
        BISCUITS
        LISAGH
        NEST
        LADYBUG

Cleveland

This past weekend we headed to Cleveland to visit MBM's college roommate and his wife. On Saturday, we all went to Cedar Point, it was fun and crowded...Lulu wasn't tall enough to ride most of the rides...total bummer for her!

Sunday, I ran my very first half marathon (13.1 miles) that was really fun! That's me heading toward the finish.

Still Distracted

No news is good news? I am not so sure about that. We are still in a holding pattern...waiting, waiting, waiting. I always pride myself on being patient, clearly, I am not as patient as I thought.

Here is the deal...MBM and I have always wanted a small farm with a "party barn" and over the years we have looked at a bunch.  They are either, too expensive, too much work needs to be done, etc... Well, we found one...that we love, the barn has been completely renovated (it is still a barn), the house needs some reno to make it work for a family of five (it currently has one bathroom), the acrege is doable, lots of wooded area, a pond, a stream,  an orchard, there is a two bedroom carriage house, it has been on the market for two years, the price not outrageous and we are pretty sure they would entertain a lower offer.

The hold up? Our current house...selling it for what it is worth...in this market...we just don't know. We had a realtor come yesterday, she said our house shows like a model home, that was nice, but, how much and how long will it take to sell...she is getting back to us tomorrow. Another realtor  is coming this afternoon, I am a bit sceptical of her, she gets the job done, but, if you are not on board with her marketing strategy (aka..shelling out nearly 1000 beans for inspections and appraisals, before putting on the market) then she is not interested in working with you. While I can, appreciate her strategy...we still need lots of questions answered. Like...how much? are there buyers out there? how long would she estimate it being on the market? (her average is something like 85 days)... we realize we are heading straight into a slow time, how will that affect us, etc.....

The not knowing if it is something we can do...IS KILLING ME!!!!!

So I am distracted...and do you know how hard it is to keep this house clean with a family of five....ANSWERS, I just want some answers. Even if it is not what I want to hear...so I can move on!

In the mean time: I delivered and installed these last week...love the print, she was willing to step just outside the box with me...

Valance over the kitchen sink

                                   

Faux Roman Shades in the eating area

Functioning flat panels on french doors

Distracted

Well here is one of the projects finished ....

BEFORE: pretty beat up, many layers of stain and poly, not to mention 40 years of wax build up from furniture polish. I should mention this table came out of an old convent, my MIL scored this and lots of other loot, including the church pew in my kitchen, when the convent was closing shop. And trust me, as a product of Catholic school, nuns love furniture polish.

AFTER: a good scrubbing, lots of sanding, a can of antique white spray paint, some walnut stain, glaze, poly, and a cute little glass knob.

The table doesn't have a home yet...for now it is in  the powder room.

We have been very distracted...let's just say there could be greener pastures in our future...pastures being the key word here! We will know more on Friday afternoon...keep good thoughts for us!

Projects

I have been working on several little projects around the house...

...all have these things involved.

There has been panting, sanding, drilling, leveling, organizing, staining, sewing, and three trips to the home improvement store. My goal is to have it all complete by Sunday...fingers crossed!

This and That

Running:
I am getting dangerously close to the half marathon I registered for back in July...18 days! I feel pretty good about it...I think? Sunday, I ran 10 miles in a local state park, the path along the creek was lovely, cool and soft on the hoofs...I felt great the whole run. I am on the hunt for new running shorts/pants...after a long run I have chub rub issues...and I am not sure the world is ready for me in compression shorts! Looking for suggestions!

Work:

I am very busy...lots of stuff out there. Just delivered a big bedroom job over the weekend and picked up her family room while I was there. Below is a picture of the dining room valances I did for her back in the spring.

Currently working on a window seat cushion and pillows, linen draperies, roman shades, etc...

Girls:

They are back into the swing of things. Lulu LOVES first grade and made the transition from half day to full day without issue. And I am adjusting too!

Emma has a man teacher this year....so good for her!

Fifth Grade is an adjustment for Caroline... several different teachers and lots of homework. But, she can handle it, most days anyway!

All three are playing field hockey and all three are on different teams...2 practices a week and games on Saturday...never at the same location...so that's a blast!

MBM:

He is good...traveling a bit and training for a this and of course he is my trainer!

Roosevelt:

Totally filthy and getting groomed tomorrow...thank heaven!

That's all I have!

Happy Weekend

This picture cracks me up! This was taken over the Labor Day Weekend at a Splash 'n Dash race at the shore. Lulu is taking off her swim cap...she said she smiled the whole time...I believer her!  Thought this would be a good way to start your weekend!

Before and After

BEFORE: This little wicker set (sofa and love seat) basically fell into our hands from my MIL's cousin, she wanted something new for her sun porch. My MIL snatched it up for us and our empty beach house living room! Now, I am not a hug fan of wicker and a matching set is overkill but the price was right...a hug and kiss! So you can see in the before picture it looks as if it was taken right form the set of the Golden Girls with the pickled finish and floral cushions. AFTER: Eight cans of brown spray paint, then a walnut stain on top, 12 yards of outdoor fabric later! The Paint Treatment: really eight cans of spray paint for both pieces, my trigger finger and right arm hurt for a few days following. Then I brushed on, haphazardly, some Walnut stain I had left over. The stain added shine, texture, depth, and protection. I was so thrilled with the way it turned out, I did the same treatment to a wicker buffet(yes, more pickled wicker) The Fabric: Was like a dream come true! I have coveted this outdoor fabric forever...it is off white quilted diamonds, my favorite (click pic to enlarge)...but, at $98.00 per yard retail, NEVER GONNA HAPPEN! Until, I walked in to the outlet and there it was, two bolt ends totaling 12 yards for just under eight beans a yard.....SOLD!!!!!! I sewed up some quick covers for the cushions added lots and lots of pillows...it went from Boca Raton 1988 to a cross between this and that! The total cost... Sofa/Love seat...HUG AND KISS Spray paint.....$40 Stain...........FOUND IN THE GARAGE Fabric..........$100 Pillows.........RECYCLED Print Fabric.....LEFT OVER FROM THE HANDBAG DAYS GRAND TOTAL.....$140

******Side Note****** The sofa was in our beach house living room for the summer and the love seat on the front porch. Before we left for the summer I strapped the sofa on the roof of my car and it now and forever will reside on our PA house screened in porch!

The Nation's Triathlon

Saturday we headed to D.C. with a bunch of friends for The Nation's Triathlon. The husbands raced and the wives had a lot of fun! MBM with The Nation's Tri founder, race director , and Mbm's good friend MBM with our friends and travel companions Me and MBM I didn't get any pictures of MBM racing, too many people. He placed 210 over all...there were over just under 4000 racers!

Before and After

Some work I did at the shore in the early summer... BEFORE: It was time for the pink and green to go... AFTER: All new window treatments New chair Custom pillows Recovered counter stools Softer palette for the beach!