Clothing

I'm stuck waiting on a meeting and realized I haven't 'really' blogged in a while... so here we go.  A real post about something other than my house.

I like fashion.  And in my industry, I feel I need to look like I have some sort of style, or at least that I try.

But lately, I've found that I don't have the time to leisurely stroll the mall looking for sales.  Sales on clothes that I don't totally love in the first place.  All the stores in the mall look the same right now and I'm just not digging it.  I'm also a 'tweener' when it comes to style.  I want to be 'hip and cool', but I need to also look professional and non-slutty :).

So I've started doing a little online clothes shopping.  I've never been an online clothes shopper in the past, mainly due to my shape.  I'm tall in weird areas but have shorter legs... a shape that is not crafted for the masses.  But I've recently had some success with some new stores and I thought I'd share!

http://www.bodenusa.com/

Boden is a UK based company that just expanded their website to US prices and sizes.  The best thing about Boden: they have Tall sizes in their dresses!  Finally sheath dresses that aren't mini! (My mom is heading to London in late summer and I've asked her to keep her eyes peeled for stores)

www.llbean.com

LL Bean just came out with a 'Signature Line'.  Not all flannels and fleece anymore.  Very conservative, but great classic lines and great quality.  A little high on the price scale, but these pieces are made to last.

www.shabbyapple.com

I haven't purchased anything from them yet.  But their styles are simple and really affordable.  The fabrics are mostly natural too, which I tend to lean towards.  Looking to purchase this little number for an upcoming wedding.

Ok, back to reality.

Whatchadoing Wednesday

We've been busy, I promise.

PATIO

The previous owner had a hot-tub on our spacious patio and tiled the area around it.  So when the hot-tub was removed, there was a weird lay of tile. 

Before

See the dark blue brick in the left corner.

After

We pulled it up.  There's still some glue we need to chip away, but it looks much better. 

Gus, you are so handsome.

Before

There were minimal weeds that I pulled in preparation to plant something nice.  Still working out that plan, as I'm not quite the horticulturist. 

After

 But the patio does look much more presentable and we are enjoying spending the sunny afternoons out there.  (Hurry up spring, I'm craving you bad!)

FRONT PORCH

Minimal work, but it made quite the difference.

I researched the hardiest (semi-good looking) plant to put in the new pot we bought for the front door.  Please everyone say a tiny prayer that I may be able to keep these 'mother-in-law tongues' from dying.  If not, I'm going to be the weird lady who puts fake plants in a pot on the front porch.

This is the fabulous new door-bell plate that took us a week to install.  Sometimes the smallest projects can ruin a marriage... thankfully, James and I decided a door bell plate was not worth it.  We re-convened days later and the finished product looks really nice and polished. 

And we also have this old speaker system at the left of the door.  It doesn't work, but I didn't want to take it off and try patching the stucco.  So I spray-painted it bronze and it definitely hides much better than the bright nasty gold it was previously.

I know they look small, but as new homeowners... every project we encounter is normally our first.  Which means it usually takes twice as long and double the frustration.  BUT we are learning so much and are really proud of our accomplishments, even if they are weak. 

G2

Dear Sweet Baby Nephew G2,
   I know you officially have a few more weeks to bake, but I'm really ready to meet you.
Love,

Your Amazing Aunt Katie

Bank of America

Last night James went to the Roti Grill for dinner

(I was traveling = James eats Indian every night). 

They charged him $2,805.80 for his curry.

Bank of America called him before he even finished his meal.

Pretty impressive.

New Sconce

I've mentioned James and I are trying to be very cost conscience on all renovations for our home.  We've also been trying to stay on track with starting all renovations on the first floor and working our way up to the bedrooms.  We'll, I've been eyeing this sconce for a while and really wanted to put it on the 3rd floor landing.  It's not that pricey, but it jumps out of our schedule.  So, I decided that I could sell some 'junk/other people's treasure' on craigslist and only use that mula for the sconce.

Well, I sold my last item last night to get me over the top (including shipping) and I'm going to order my sconce today!  I totally felt like a kid again, working and saving to buy something I've wanted all on my own.

Because that other check I get twice a month sure doesn't feel like its mine :(

 

We'll post pics once we get it installed.

Snow Day

So the weather in Dallas has been a little chilly.  We haven't gotten a lot of snow, but the ice is still rather thick on the roads.  Texans tend to freak out a bit with any cold weather precipitation but add a major televised event where most of America will be watching you... oh Lord!  This Super Bowl will be showing our true colors.  Come 'on Dallas, don't screw this up!

I'm surprised Jerry hasn't installed some massive sun lamps, hovering over the city, melting everything.  I can only imagine what it feels like to not be able to control the weather, when you are able to control every single other element in your life.  Money can't buy love or good weather, ha!

Anyways, I digress.  Even with 99% of our city shut down, I was requested to come in the office for "a bit".  Sometimes it's not a positive to live so close to work.  I'm still a little bitter that everyone within a 100 mile radius was snug in their sweat pants watching movies and eating ice cream while I was in the office, working.

BUT the only good thing: Watching the winter weather from a high-rise.  I work in Uptown, just North of Downtown and a heightened view of the white roofs and quiet streets is really beautiful.  You don't quite see the details of the gray sludge or sanded sidewalks.  Just white quiet.

I get no sympathy from the hubs about working on a 'snow day' either.  The poor boy is all over Dallas AND Ft. Worth throwing parties for Adidas and Gatorade and a million other companies celebrating the football fiasco.  The parties must go on. 

I'm quite chatty today huh?

Stay warm everyone!  And watch a movie for me!

 

Whatchadoing Wednesday

Well, we've been moving and grooving but our progress doesn't always show up in pictures.  PLUS, we're trying to do most of our renovations with cash, so that slows us down a bit.  BUT today, we've got photo-worthy updates.

BEFORE:

This is in our master bedroom.  The weird little balcony/library opened up all the way to the 1st floor over the entry, leaving the master with very little sound control.  James and I go to bed at different times and I could here the television from 2 floors below.  Plus, the area was just weird and wasted.  So we (the contractors) closed it in and created a great closet.

DURING:

I wanted the skylight to stay over the entry and not in the closet.



Since we extended the floor a few inches, we were able to put a can light over the front door.  Really makes the entry so much warmer.

AFTER:

We took the doors from the kitchen (which we were going to remove eventually) and put them up here, so we saved a little cash and all our doors still match.

Now all I have to do is paint it.  I really love it and think the ROI is going to be high.  I can't hear the TV at all anymore and it really gives the master bedroom a more cohesive feel.

Yah!

Now on to the next project!