Silly Gurl Stuff

But I really want to see what designer Kate picks for her wedding day!  I know it's totally a waste of brain space when I should really be thinking about feeding my dog and balancing budgets.  But in all seriousness, I could pick-out Diana's wedding dress in a line-up if I had to.  I mean those pictures last forever.

I hope it's classic.

Come on babies!

Dear G2 & Emma Cady,
     I know I must wait until you both are ready and fully baked, but I'm dying to meet you both.  April will be an awesome month with the arrival of you two!

Love,
Your Awesome Aunt Katie

PS... Emma... can you make sure you have fiery red hair, just like your momma?  Thanks.

Sneak Peak

A sneak peak at the new entry floor.  Should be finished by next week.  And yes, that is a stack of tile... ready to be slapped down.  We're half-way there (with the entry floor).

Life.

I suck as a blogger these days, I apologize.  But life feels like a bit of a race right now and I'm learning how to make it a marathon instead of a sprint.  James and I are definitely working in the direction of setting a comfortable pace, but seem to get a few set backs here and there, causing a re-set button to be pushed. 

My hyperboles are getting out of control.

What have we been up to?  In a lack of pictures:

Traveling a lot for work

Installed dining pendants

Dancing at Zumba

Started a new job

Threw an engagement party

Waiting on that second nephew

Installed a new sconce

Replacing outlet covers and fan grilles

Demo-ing anything we can

Sifted through childhood save or trash

Laying tile

Had the entire house painted

Refinished another closet

Planted some smell-goods

Needless to say, we haven't had a lot of 'down time' lately.  We are going to slow down on the house a bit in April, just to catch our breath and then go full force again in May.  Can't say the same about everything else, but we'll try.

Phone Photos

I was cleaning out some photos on my phone... some are random, which at times, is my life.

View from our balcony of the Feb snow storm

My new closet, painted.

Presents for my sweet nephews

Indecisive shopping.

Cool limited edition book covers on classics.

Minnesota.  Uggg.

New shirt for Conner.

New Job

Little update on the Lynn Careerfront.

James will be starting his new job at the Dallas Renaissance later this month.  He will take over the position of Food and Beverage Operating Manager and he is quite excited to start this new adventure. 

Congrats JB, we're all supa supa excited for you and all the new potential!

Knock 'em dead, tiger.

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.