{Home} Houseplants = Happiness

Whoa. So, where did July come from? Time certainly can slip away when you're busy making life happen!

Big news. We've finally moved. Finally. It felt like such a long time coming {we had to give notice to our property managers in late February!}, and we're beginning to get settled in our new apartment in Shadyside. It's quite a different feel from UpLa, that's for sure. We've walked to a few dinners, caught a sale on Walnut Street, and have watched the sunset from our 7th floor view. I'm in love.

Once we have everything out of boxes and somewhat in order, I'll take you on a tour of the new place. For now, let's talk about my new favorite part of the apartment.

The addition of these beauties: houseplants.

My apologies for the iPhone photos. Who knows where the real camera is? In a box? Down by the river?

I'm sure you've heard how good houseplants are for your indoor air quality, but if you haven't: Nerdy Version. Non-Nerdy Version with HuffPost.

{Over The Weekend} Chili Cookoff and Home Decor

Monday again.
And, it's already afternoon! Where has this day gone?

Never mind that, I'll just think on what a great weekend I had. It started Friday night with a cocktail: Disaronno and Red Ribbon Root Beer.

I'd mistakenly sworn off the unique taste of root beer years before, as it didn't suit my taste buds. So much wasted time. This cocktail is a sweet go-to now, especially with craft root beer. 

Decembear, Again

Hi guys.
With finals, major family events, preparing to travel and work deadlines, this week has been filled to the brim with emotion.
In an effort to avoid recounting every detail of my week, I'll give an update on Decembear instead.  Where has he been over the past few days?  All over the house!

December 12: He looked in the toy chest.

He might be a little old for those toy blocks. Decembear doesn't care.

{Never heard of this adorable bear?  Read up on his history.}

Decembear

Each year, my Mom had my Dad bring down the Christmas decorations from the attic, and began putting things up the day after Thanksgiving.  The sparkling lights, the bright colors - we were able to enjoy all of these things even before the month began.

I am my mother's daughter, so I decked our halls on November 18.  Looking around afterwards, I thought something might be missing. Recalling my memories of my Mom's decorations, I thought about the holiday calendar my Granny hand-made: Decembear: A Beary Merry Christmas. 

A/C in PGH

Yes, indeed – Here we are at the weekend again, and I have to say, I’m looking forward to it. No, this is not ground-breaking, I know. I’m looking forward to this weekend because it affords me the chance to go out and buy an A/C unit. Yes, people, Husband and I have been living in the dark ages, sans air conditioning.
Before you start thinking I’m crazy, let me just tell you one detail. Our realtor, echoed by many others about town, informed us that we didn’t need A/C, and box fans would work out just fine. I see your eyebrows rising. Coming from Texas, this sounded like a dream come true. Extraordinary. The things dreams are made of. Almost too good to be true.

Incidentally, it is too good to be true. Guys, it’s 97 degrees, and RealFeel tells me it’s 102.

Am I back in the South?

It’s clear to me now that Pittsburgh’s weather is as temperamental as Texas’ is. I’d even go so far as to say it’s desert-like at times, significantly cooling after a very hot day.

Anyway, this weekend will hopefully put an end to the heat-suffering we’ve been dealing with. Here’s to looking forward to improved attitudes, better rising yeast doughs {regulated room temp!}, and guests coming over for dinner!

{31 Blogging Days of May} Home DIY

Many years ago, my fiancé and I walked into a small furniture store in Denison, Texas, looking for a dining room table. We must have looked through the whole store before settling on a pub-style wooden table, complete with six chairs. Chairs with white seats. Had we rethought that one, we might not be here today.

Before!

Kyla at Blue Collar Catwalk's {31 Blogging Days} post for today is about doing a home decorating DIY. You're in luck, because Husband recently underwent a chair cushion overhaul. These chairs needed a makeover...about two years ago. They had pasta sauce stains, wood glue residue, and other icky junk defacing the once clean surface. So, we got busy...WITH THIS FABULOUS FABRIC:

{31 Blogging Days of May} Introduce a New-to-you Blogger

What a fun challenge Kyla has for us today! I get to introduce you to a blogger!

I've been following Holyoke Home for a few years now, and they were recently featured as a Recent Blog of Note on Blogger. They're obviously legit. 

It's a lovely blog about house renovations, and specifically a row house renovation. I started reading as a renter of standard apartments in Dallas, and am now renting a Northeast row house/townhome. It's been a joy to see the house take shape, and to see what the couple have been able to do with the glorious 'bones' they purchased several years ago.

Their photos are great:

Renovated Kitchen.

Their dog, Morgan!

Plus, they live in Massachusetts! {I have a love affair with this state, for sure.}

What are some of your favorite blogs?

{On another note} I had the longest work day EVER today. My deadlines are starting up for this cycle {3 times a year}, and summer will be bittersweet, with the mix of house guests and long hours at work. Eeek! Keep me from stress eating! 

Dashes and Dots: January

{Dashes & Dots}
I'm starting a new segment to my blog called {Dashes and Dots}, featuring a smattering of interesting things I see around the web. Anything from food to clothing to events will be found here each month. Let me know what you think!

{1.}  I came across these fabulous food blogs, and they're even from the Pittsburgh area!
{2.}  This tour looks like fun! I smell {and taste!} a date night!
{3.}  Husband and I are going with a new friend-couple here for dinner next Thursday. I'm planning to order waaaay too much.
{4.}  The cut-out sections of this dress are so beautiful! Would be perfect for layering.
{5.}  We just bought this for seating in the office, but we still need a pillow for it. Maybe this one?
{6.}  I'm hoping to go here for my birthday dinner!
{7.}  As a birthday gift, Husband and I signed up for this Half Marathon! Training starts February 1st!


Enjoy your day!

First Day of 2012

Today was the first day of 2012.
How did I spend today?
Husband and I organized the office/workout space, lamented over how much food we'd been eating, and thought about how many leftovers we still had in the fridge. Mostly, I just nursed my stomach and thought about eating more of that fabulous cornbread-topped chili. Absolutely ridiculous. You need to go buy the ingredients now.

I'll be posting various photos from the weekend, hopefully tomorrow, (maybe even with an outfit!) after Husband and I get a workout in over yonder in the cemetery. First, I'll give you a hint of some of our activities for NYE.

How did you spend your first day of 2012?

New Home: New Uses for Old Things

Michael bought this owl statuette for Christmas last year, as we always try to be modest in our gifts to each other. It's a perfect gift for me, and so well thought out. The blue-grey of the stone it's carved from is pleasant and cooling. In Texas, it's home was on the mantle, above the fire place. 

Here in Pennsylvania, it's new home is in our bedroom.

Statue.

In our century-old home, our bedroom door isn't cut perfectly. The door wants to swing slowly closed, even if I want it open. Thus, a doorstop is needed. Also, since the door has a gap at the bottom, no ordinary doorstop would do.

The owl statue is the right one for the job.

Against the door. 

 It's ironic that this statuette was made to serve an aesthetic function, and now has found a completely new role in the new home. I'm sure I'll find other uses for old items, giving them new life.

First Care Package

Now that I've stopped CRYING MY EYES OUT, I'll take some time to post about the wonderfully sweet care package I received from my Mom & Dad in Texas.

Giada, the cat, sniffing out the open box.

Husband and I had told the whole family to not get us gifts this year, mainly because we wouldn't be able to reciprocate (what with the mailing, timing, and the gift itself). My parents decided to completely disregard that request (woo!) and send us a few things.

Handwritten note from my Mom.

 It's funny. Husband and I haven't really felt like it was the holiday season, or that Christmas is just nine days away, mainly because we've been so caught up with the move. When I opened the box of presents from my parents, I realized that I haven't felt like it was the holidays because I associate that time of year with seeing family. Since there's no family in Pittsburgh, I haven't been feeling the Christmas Spirit! Thus, I broke down in tears and sobbed as I pulled each item out of the box.

A stocking for Ina.

A stocking for Giada.

A Present (or two!) for Husband and I.

Before, we didn't have any presents under (or near) the tree. We are spending our gift money on the house, stocking our pantry, and outfitting ourselves with snow boots.

Giada beginning to chew on the shiny gold ribbon.

Hopefully these gifts will last through December 25th! (Against the odds and snappy cat traps!)

What denotes the 'holiday season' or 'spirit' for you?


*Note: This was my 300th post! What a great subject to post about for a milestone.

Christmas Cards and Pantry Units Galore!

Little by little, the house is coming together.

I began looking for jobs on Monday, and have found quite a few opportunities to apply for. I'm excited and nervous at the same time, a feeling I'll likely have for many months. 

On another note: We've started getting mail! I know this is childish of me, but there's something special about receiving mail from your family and friends. So far, I've received three Christmas/holiday cards in the last two days. I need to get on the stick! 

Three cards on my fridge

I am planning to send a newsletter out with my cards (which hasn't been written!). Last night, I looked for my boxes of cards I had saved for sending out once I got here, but they were nowhere to be found. I grabbed a few replacement boxes at Target, in hopes that my others will turn up.

The real news is that I'm a hoss. Because this is an old house (built circa 1900), there isn't a lot of built-in storage. Even though there is a ton of space in each room, there aren't defined spaces for storing items. Until I came along. 

To solve the lack of pantry space in the kitchen, I BUILT these two units, which we purchased from good 'ole IKEA. 

Don't mind the cat.

Side unit for storing glasses and glassware.

Large unit, with doors, for pantry storage.

It's great for hiding all of these unsightly pantry goods!

Husband was so surprised and pleased that I built these units. I sure impressed him! (Actually, I think I just saved him a TON of weekend work!)

Then, I had to throw in a towel storage unit for our dainty bathroom on the second floor. (Pun intended.)

The unit fits towels, toilet paper, extra bathroom items and my Qtips!

It sits next to my hamper - a perfect match!

Readers, do not be fooled. 

I did in fact use a Phillips head screwdriver, hammer, level, and other tools to put these units together.

AND, with IKEA 'picture' instructions! 

Holiday Wreath

Husband has this 'thing' about holiday wreaths. He loves them! It's actually really endearing. :) We have a wreath for each season, to hang on our door. Our winter wreath didn't do too well in storage this past year, and needed to be replaced. 

This year, Husband sprung for a live wreath of douglas fir, magnolia leaves, pine cones and cedar berries. 

Gorgeous!

You can grab one at your local Home Depot, if you wish.

Happy Holidays!

Christmas Tree Day

I took a break from the boxes, and decided to put up my Christmas tree today. 

Albeit a setback on unpacking, it was a nice relaxing morning/afternoon. 

 My tree is basically red, gold, and white, with a touch of woodland creature.

I'm telling ya, pre-lit trees are the way to go. Who wants to mess with stringing lights on pointy needles, fake or real? Oh, and they HAD to be white lights. To go with the theme, yes?

 Don't mind the broken glass ornaments. They're still good. We have cats, ya know. 

Most of our ornaments are from Target and Crate and Barrel, 

as they are abundant in woodland creature-ness. 

It put a smile on my face to pull out some of my favorite ornaments 

like the following one, an owl, which was made for me by The Best.

And, put on new ones.

I bought this pierogi ornament from Wildcard on the Lawrenceville Cookie Tour. It's made by Alicia Kachmar of EternalSunshine, and you can view her Etsy shop here. So cute!

 Now, it's finished!

Well, except for the topper. Yes, the photo is intentionally cropped. Wink. 

Thoughts on which type of topper we should get? No Santas or Angels, please! 

P.S. - I recently got a new camera, which is why my photo quality has somewhat improved. Yay for point-and-shoots!

Finally Fall!

The 'first day of fall' was a few weeks ago, but I haven't seen 'fall' weather until now. 

To celebrate, I went out and bought gourds. :)

Multicolored pumpkin outside our front door

Small white striped pumpkin on our dining room table

Wreath on our front door

Have you decorated for fall? In Texas, this is one of my favorite times of the year, considering it's so brief! I have to enjoy every moment I can.

New Season - New Decoration

Yes, we've all noticed what a drab look my blog's had for the past month. Well, what readers I do have noticed. (Thank you for reading!)

I've decided to bring in new colors, patterns and themes. Bright and beautiful!

As I searched for these new images, I ran across a few that depicted one of my favorite color combinations.

{Yellow & Grey}

Check out my Pinterest for the original locations of these lovely photos.

Simple Things

I'm back from my anniversary trip to Chicago with Michael, and I'm enjoying my last day off. I'm finishing up a load of laundry, and it's now time to iron a few things. These 'few' things are all mine, because it costs an arm and a leg to have a woman's item dry cleaned or pressed. Thus, I am pressing at home.

I've said before that simple things are sometimes the nicest. A month or so ago I bought a new ironing board cover to replace the old, faded blue one of my college years. (I think I might have ironed one or two things a semester.)

This new one is a cheerful, simple plaid of purple, pink and white. Quite feminine.

It almost makes me want to iron more!

P.S. - I'm waiting on Michael to download all of our Chicago photos. I plan to have some of them printed for once, and I will share many of them here on the blog. Until then!