One year ago today...

...was the best day ever. We're taking the day to celebrate--no worries or house projects--and I couldn't be more happy. Except if I was wearing my dress again.

Now that would make me really happy.

Photos by Susie Campbell Photography

Tori Spelling's house is for sale

I have to admit, I'll be a little sad not to see this fabulous house when getting my weekly fix of Tori & Dean. If money and the desire to relocate weren't a problem...I'd have myself a new home!









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Ahhh, that family room. It's one of my faves! The family room & kitchen in her last home were also one of my favorites (I'm loving the pops of red & blue!)...

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Hands down, this girl has style!

It's showtime!

This past weekend we took my mom to the Junior League showhouse. It's a bi-annual event that we've attended for the last 4 houses. The event just happens to fall around mother's day too...the perfect "gift" for the momma!

Taking pics in the house is a big no-no, but I was able to find this link that features a few of the rooms (before and after) as well as history of the home. And I'm looooving this modern nursery by Room (the only photo I could find of this year's house)...

But before heading to the showhouse, we ventured out for lunch & some stops in my old neighborhood. We stopped at ReImagine, a fabulous explosion of retro furniture & home accessories. And I came home with this...

An Ice-o-Matic! I spotted it on the shelf & something about it brought back old memories...my mom saw it seconds later and said "that's like the one we used to have!". We joked with the shop owner that it might have been my mom's, since their inventory is scored at estate & garage sales, thrifting, etc.

And check out the inside of this modern marvel...

My mom said she used to crush big cubes of ice before blending them...and I vaguely remember using this thing myself! I don't know if this particular Ice-o-Matic will ever be used, but for now it's great decoration for the kitchen.

Although, if anyone is up for some margaritas....hmmmm, now there's a thought?

Wow...it's Wednesday!

...which is what the sign on the door at Goodwill said. I wondered why the place was hopping. Well, Wednesday's are 50% off everything!

I grabbed these two framed photos before I even realized about the 'Wow...it's Wednesday!' sale. At $12 a piece, I initially hesitated buying both of them. But I figured $24 was a small price to pay for 2 solid frames...and the former dancer in me kind of liked the pictures! So I couldn't believe the grand total for both frames was only $13...I love surprise sales! The cashier was quite happy that I purchased them too. I guess she loved them as much as I did. I'm just glad I beat her to the register!

I'm not entirely sure what I'll do with them right now. I love the gold-ish finish & I'm hoping to use at least one on the gallery wall. And the other might be spray painted black & added to the collection of frames in the entryway hallway. This weekend's rainy weather means I'll be busy figuring out a plan for these!

So until then, wow...have a great Wednesday!

Don't sue me

That's what I typically tell people who dare to use our front steps...

Well that was embarrassing. I guess I never realized just how trashy these things looked...but I bet our neighbors did! Okay, so let's get to it. We're replacing the front steps! I know, you can hardly imagine why, but it's happening. I'm sure it's obvious, but there are so many things wrong with these things. For starters, they're rotting faster than an idle banana. Secondly, not one of these steps are the same height. I'm not sure who was hired to build them at the time, but nothing is up to code here (a detail I was kindly reminded of by every contractor who stopped by). Lastly, I'm a big fan of symmetry, so the solitary pink & teal iron railing is outta here. See ya!

If you successfully make it up the stairs without sustaining an injury...congrats! You've made it to the front door!

Evidently, the door mat blew away in a wind storm & left quite an imprint in its passing. And since no one uses the front door...this is the first I'm seeing this myself. Awesome. I had good intentions of removing the old storm door last summer, but then chickened out for whatever reason. But this year I'm doing it! I'm not sure if we'll replace the door right away, but for now I love the idea of being able to see the original door when you come up the soon-to-be new & improved steps.

Of course, removing the door means no more of this...

Nothing says welcome to our home like a good spear to the gut! Or we could always charge admission upon entry. Apparently, this piece of the door also serves as a stadium turnstyle.

And I'm fully aware that removing the door means no one will get to see my creative sign that directs guests to our side door...

Don't fall off the steps on your way back down!

But WAIT....there really are doorbells at the front door!

I kid you not, I had no clue these even existed until 2 weeks ago! Well, that only took 4 years. I suppose it's time to finish painting the entryway stairs...it looks like we'll be using the front door more often!

I'll be back soon with progress pictures! But until then...please use the side door/doorbells.

Bedroom Inspiration...the Cinco de Mayo version.

I've decided that 2011 is the year of the master bedroom makeover. Our bedroom is in need of an update & this year seems like the best time to go at it. That is, according to my 2011 resolution/to do list....of which, about 1 item has been completed (so take what you will from that bit of information). It's definitely not something we'll get to right away, as outdoor projects are high on the priority list right now. But it's for sure on the radar.

So in honor of Cinco de Mayo, I give to you my five (current) bedroom inpiration photos!

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This room is fabulous. But if I'm taking one thing away from this space, it's that the wall color--Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray--is pretty fabulous. And mostly, I noted that for my own reference, but your welcome. Let's face it, remembering where I "filed" that info will be the thing that likely stumps me....


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I absolutely love this room...the pillow, the tufted headboard, and well...everything else. I'd be one very happy & well rested girl here.

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I've loved this bedroom ever since I saw it in the pages of Country Living magazine. In fact, I have it filed in my inspiration folder...under "The Husband Won't Like, Keep Dreaming" tab.

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Just perfect. This is definitely husband friendly. And definitely one of the photos I'll be referring back to when it comes time to tackle this remodel.

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One of my faves. I've had this photo saved for quite awhile now. And hmm...would you look at that, another tufted headboard! Notice a theme here?

And just for good measure, I'm tossing in a nook photo. Because who doesn't love a good bedroom nook? I certainly do...especially when they look like this!

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So happy Cinco de Mayo to all! I'm celebrating by relaxing with an entire dinner of nacho chips....after that 5-mile run of course. Ole'!

What's happening around here...

With the husband traveling for work (and evidently checking up on me when he's gone), I decided to start a little segment I'm calling What's Happening Around Here. Which is the best possible way for the husband & I to connect while he's away. That is when he's not dining with clients, shopping in San Fran (his current destination), or you know...working. In all actuality, I kid. The husband is legitimately working while he's away. I have to say that, he's reading this. And I kid again.

So without further ado, I give you the first (and likely last) installment of What's Happening Around Here. And I warn you...it isn't pretty. But well, that's reality.

Our herbs have died. Hey, what can I say...we're not indoor plant folks. But at least we have stylish DIY planters! And the sun is actually shining!

We may not be able to keep plants alive, but I do love me some blooms! These were a lovely gift from my cousin Allie. It's ranauculous & peony season! The best time of the year. Period.

The stairs aren't finished. I had you fooled! It's a good thing we don't regularly use this staircase. Especially since I think it's the most ideal place to "hide" the paint cans.

I know, you have no clue what you're looking at here (except for our window treatment-less dining room windows...we're going on FOUR years here now...). So let me give you a closer look...

Yep, that's all sorts of lovely water damage. We're set to replace the roof in the next week (if it would ever stop raining...the reason we're getting it replaced in the first place!), and then we can focus on repairing the ceiling. The fun never ends around here!

And this is the reason no one has seen photos of the "finished" kitchen. Whether or not anyone actually sees that I still need to paint the teeny-tiny area above the cabinets, remains to be seen. So until I finish that up, I won't be officially revealing the kitchen just yet. Which will likely happen in 2013. You're welcome.

I realized I still have the easter eggs on display (the only easter decor I put out this year!). I can't bring myself to put them away just yet. I love the color these wooden beauties bring to the mantel! Don't worry...once they start competing for space with the christmas tree, I promise to put them away.

And that concludes today's What's Happening Around Here tour. You're welcome, husband. Now get back to work!

Jillian Harris

I've been a fan of Jillian Harris since her Bachelorette days, so it's no surprise that I'm a fan of her home as well! Jillian's interior design background & expertise can also be seen over on Extreme Home Makeover. After watching this weekend, I'll be tuning in regularly!

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Check out Jillian's website for more good stuff!