Let the Good Times Roll...

I've never been known for my sunny disposition and this week is no exception.  With renovations beginning next week, this week is all about packing.  So far, the plan has been to start packing, get frustrated that I have to pack and then shut down after about 30 minutes.  At this pace, we'll be lucky if I get it done in 2013.

I am trying to look on the bright side and think of this as spring cleaning on steroids.  Bring it on... and say a few prayers!

Cheers,
Jessie

Happy Valentine's... Oh Wait!

I realize this may seems a bit belated, but it is actually more belated than you even know.  Seeing as I'm a woman who asks for what she wants, I started February by asking Hootie if he had bought me a Valentine's gift and if not I knew what I wanted.  (Subtle, I know.)

After Hootie and I got engaged over 10 years ago, he wrote me a very sweet letter telling me all I meant to him.  However, his MS-DOS word doc never made it out for the viewing public.  That's finally been rectified.  I found a wonderful calligrapher in the Dallas area and she has reworked my letter into a thing of beauty!

You didn't really think I would let you read all that, right?!?

It still needs to be framed and added to the stack of pictures sulking in the corner for the gallery wall, but I am quite thrilled!  Even Hootie took one look at it and said he doesn't need to make any revisions... so far.

Cheers,

Jessie

The Search Continues...

If you'll recall back to my previous post, I've been looking for a mid-century modern dresser for a while now. Seeing as I sold off all our bedroom furniture last weekend, the search has hit warp speed and with that comes a few challenges.

#1. No rash decisions... I have fallen prey before and refuse to do so again.
#2. No selection... why are things always around when you don't need them?
#3. No bueno on price!

Don't worry, I won't bore you with my exhaustive search.  (Hootie is getting plenty of those emails already.)  However, I did want to show you some of the fabulous gems I found yesterday while scouring the Metroplex.

If only we were in need of mid-century end tables, our lives would than be perfect. LOVE that brass accent on the feet!

I don't know why I think these are so cute, but they just make be smile.  Anyone need a canister?

Love that color and doesn't every room need a little ming dog?

Cool clock... probably too cool for us, but I'm sure you guys are much cooler than I.

Random. I know, but I have always wanted a silver tea set.  I'm not sure who I would serve or where I would keep it, but I'm sure I could find an excuse.

I would totally buy this gate leg table if Hootie didn't already have me in budget jail.  So functional and pretty to boot.

Does this need a description?  Just a sassy, classy lady.  (Yes, I do tend to think of most things as he or she.)

Lastly, this is the reason I would never want to be stuck inside an antique mall alone...

 Creepy!  Where do these things even come from?

All right, wish me luck.

Cheers,
Jessie

Whatever Wednesday!

I've fallen into a bad online shopping habit as of late and the slightly warmer weather has only increased my desire for new springy items... specifically shoes.  I realize that if I am darting out of the house to play in the yard or throw away dog vom (which I just did!) than I generally just grab whatever is closest, but the selection these days has me thinking I should put a little more effort when strolling around the block.

Yellow is totally the new black, right?  (PS - Who decides that?)

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Nothing says I'm awesome like metallic flats... surely the monster would listen to me in these bad boys!

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Adorable... just like me.  (Insert eye roll.)

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I've never been a fan of the gladiator style on myself, but I think I could rock it in these.

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Love.  

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All right, now that all of that is off my chest, I'll go back to booking storage units and cleaning up disgusting messes.  

Cheers,

Jessie

Cue The Lights

I'm gonna be honest... we are less than 2 weeks away from moving out and I am frazzled!  The only thing pulling me through right now is the fact that we are able to do a few additional updates while the floors are being fixed.  (Side note - Hootie was none to thrilled with my description of a home reno! Sorry, darling.)

Anywho, I am super pumped about the new built-ins going in our bedroom.  Did I mention that I sold all of our bedroom furniture this weekend so there is no turning back now?!?  With all that done, we now need bedside sconces.  The options are endless and the price point can be down right ridiculous sometimes, but I do think they will make for a cozy, warm, inviting space.

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I realize this is a bathroom not a bedroom, but how can you not seriously lust for those brass sconces? I HEART brass these days.

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Here are some of my top contenders...

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What do you guys think?  Are you loving brass these days?  Or think it is still stuck in the 80s?

Cheers,

Jessie

The Reveal

I'm excited to share my first home reveal with you guys.  (Cue Ty Pennington... well, not really.)  As much as I would love to say, we smashed down walls and ripped out ceilings this was more of an updated than a redo.  And isn't that where most of us are at?!?

With an expanding brood and a shrinking space, my clients decided it was time to reclaim the living room for the adults and relegate the kiddos to the play room.  To keep everyone happy, we made sure the spaces were functional and well defined.

In the playroom, we highlighted the fact that it's a kids space.  It's fun. It's playful and Lord knows kids have a lot of stuff SO we threw it out there.  Use what you've got!

In the living room, we repainted the walls, switched up the furniture layout and had custom bookcases made.  If you follow me on Instagram than you also know this was my first solo outing at hanging a gallery wall!  Terrified does not even begin to describe what I felt when I put that first nail in the newly painted walls.  

Honestly, I was a little hesitant to even share this b/c I think we are all so accustomed to the dramatic before and after shots, but I think it's important to remember changes no matter how big or small can really make an impact.  

Cheers,

Jessie

PS - Congrats to my fabulous clients on Baby #3... who decided to make their appearance during the final install!  (Please note that I did not deliver the baby.  I can barely handle the math involved in hanging a gallery wall!)

Speaking Of Love...

While my favorite memory of Valentine's Day will always be Hootie dressed as cupid with a tin foil bow & arrow (true story!), I can't help but feel inspired by these romantic rooms...

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Happy Valentine's Day... now go eat your weight in chocolate!

Cheers,

Jessie

Love Is In The Air

Well, seeing as I was in Office Max today and they had chocolate and roses for sale (random?!?), I would venture to say that Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  And what better to give than roses from Office Max jewelry... NOTHING!

Without further adieu, here is my top 5 jewelry round up for V-day:

Sassy and bold - LOVE!

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I definitely need more smokey jewels in my life.

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I know I'm falling for a trend here, but one sweet little mint bracelet couldn't hurt, right?!?

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Simple and sophisticated.  (Please note I had to look up the spelling for sophisticated... I guess that should probably mean something.)

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Lastly, I have been lusting after this necklace for 3 years.  Nothing says I'm cooler than you are like emeralds floating around in your pendant necklace.  I HEART this necklace!

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I have to say this is not too shabby of a list from a girl who doesn't care that much about Valentine's Day!

Cheers,

Jessie

The Writing On The Wall

As promised, I'd like to give you a little further insight into our new and improved laundry room door...

Seeing as I like to take projects to the extreme, I decided since we already had one chalkboard door outside that we should bring the party inside and add magnets!  The monster loves our outdoor chalkboard, but I can't always send him out there on a whim (as much as I may want to sometimes).

I debated the location of such a door for the while.  I was concerned it wouldn't live up to my hopes and dreams in the kitchen.  Filled with Pinterest images of gourmet menus and inspirational quotes... 

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Let's be fair, we're really not that kind of a family.  Ours would be more like to have a dirty joke and crude stick figures.  With that in mind, the laundry room door became the first choice.

#1.  It is out of the way so our crassness could easily be concealed.

#2.  It is still in a central part of the house.

The actual project is not hard at all.  Go buy a can of magnetic paint and a can of chalkboard paint and get rolling!

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You need to apply the magnetic paint first, but you can paint any color on top of it.  My only suggestion would be to do no more than 2 coats.  Otherwise, you weaken the magnetic field.  (Do I sound smart?) After that, you just need to let the paint rest for about a day and then play away.  

My only problem has been that not all magnets stick to the door, but the majority have been fine.... which is one reason I still have a few DIY projects in the works.  Trial and error, my friends.  Regardless, you can tell that the monster is already loving his new canvas and I'm quite happy with the results!

Cheers,

Jessie

Surprise!

In a shocking turn of events, I painted a door!  I know most of you were probably hoping for something better than a door as my surprise project, but did I mention that it is magnetic and chalkboard all in one!

It is still in the process of curing and I have a few more little DIYs to slap up there, but for the meantime I'm enjoying my Stickygrams new home and the paint fumes!  I'll give a run down next week.

Cheers,

Jessie

Get A Handle On It!

With the house reno less than one month away, there are some big decisions to be made.  Specifically, what kind of hardware to put on the new built-ins?  That's right!  The built-ins are coming, the built-ins are coming! I'm not sure if I could be more excited.

With images of this dancing around in my head, I'm having a hard time narrowing down the choices for  the hardware.

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You know I always love a little color...

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But there is something to be said for classic, timeless design.

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However, I keep coming back to this one.  It's traditional and masculine, but feels fresh.

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Decisions, decisions... any thoughts one way or the other?

Cheers,
Jessie

PS - The secret project is almost done.  Now if only my hands weren't black.  :)