sandr077

So, luckily looking at the fixer upper a few weeks ago did not pan out! :)  I have said I would only move if I could build my own house (or totally gut and old house and essentially re-build the inside).  I have no desire to ever move, but the only thing that could make me do it is if I could make everything EXACTLY as I want it.  I am very decisive and I know what I want.  I have a few friends who are building houses.... exciting! IF we were to build- it would have to be in a neighborhood where you can pick our exterior house style.  I am not a fan of the neighborhoods where all the houses are the exact same.... color, etc.  Variety is the spice of life! :)  There are so many options to choose from.   I like houses that look steeped in tradition. I am open to a variety of different styles, but a front porch (or wrap around porch) would be a must have.    These would all "do"! :) Federal Farm House Country Farm House Craftsma n Country...

Photo from Simply Recipes So, I know I have written before about risotto , but we could a recipe so good it is worth raving about!  Risotto is one of our "date night at home" dishes.  It is not difficult to cook, but takes time and tending to.   Risotto is also one of those things that you can make with one recipe- and add whatever you want.  We typically do sausage and mushrooms or sausage and sun-dried tomatoes.  Well, I felt like changing things up and forced the husband to try something different! I found a mushroom and gorgonzola risotto recipe.  I substituted blue cheese for gorganzola becuase I had some leftover from another meal.  We also added some shredded chicken as I too had that left over from roasting one on Thursday night.  This mushroom, chicken, blue cheese risotto was AMAZING!  Truly the best one we have made to date!!! I found a recipe and then made some changes.  Here is my adapted recipe: Ingredients 1 1/2 teaspoons ...

Okay, we have been working on something at home!  It involves our backyard and I am SUPER excited about it!  Drum roll please.............................. We built outdoor benches!  They are a work in progress still, but they are looking great.  The husband and his dad really stepped up the game on this project.   The Dad-in-Law was critical in the planning and execution phase!  A BIG thanks to him. We started from a "inspiration photo" which the husband found on Flickr via a google search! My husband really wants to do an arbor too (like this photo has too), but I really feel like our yard is too small for an arbor.  But, back to the benches.  We are using pressure treated wood that we will eventually stain black or some other color.    We added to small tables at the end of each bench and one tall table (where I want to put potted herbs) in the corner.  We have plans for the third "wall" which I will debut at a later date! Here a...

So, paint can tranform ANYTHING.  As I have discussed before I have a spray paint addiction and will spray anything (fabric, metal, wood, plastic)!  I was having a discussion with my co-workers the other day about painted brick and specifically fireplaces.  My prediction is that this is a gender thing.  Women thought it worked in many instances .... men thought it was a crazy idea! What do you think? Primed for Design Decorpad Home for the Better Apartment Therapy From the Right Bank Check out this before and after from Fireplace Design Studio .  Enough said!   What do you think?  Painted brick... do or don't?  Until next time.... xoxo

Do you know what a Fascinator is?  If you are following Kate Middleton's style in depth then you must know! :)  A fascinator (per wikipedia) is a delicate, slightly-to-very frivolous head decoration.   Modern fascinators are commonly made with  feathers ,  flowers  and/or  beads . They attach to the hair by a  comb ,  headband  or  clip .   In my own words I would say that it is a head accessory that falls somewhere between hat and headband! :) Kate Middleton rocks the fascinator often and well! She has a great personal sense of style that I am sure will now only get better! :)  If fascinators were not popular before ... I am sure they will be now.   Here is how Kate wears it! She has even inspired Harry's lady.... Chelsea!   If you are wanting a fascinator for yourself... check out Etsy!  Here is a sampling of some Etsy options! Etsy Etsy Etsy Etsy I can only imagine that she will wear some sort of statemen...

So, last week I temporarily lost my mind!  The husband and I went and looked at a house!  Now, I have no desire to move, but I was temporarily tempted though.  There is one street not too far from where I currently live that I love.  It is full of AMAZING houses.  It is one of those neighborhoods full of big trees, wide sidewalks and gorgeous houses! Houses like this: Then there is this baby! This is a house that is currently on sale but needs a TON of work!  I thought it had such potential.  It has 12 foot ceilings, amazing historic details, 5 fireplaces, and open staircase where you can see all the way up to the 3rd floor.  It is HUGE.... 3,500 square feet.  When I say it needs work .... I mean kitchen needs to be totally gutted, has a ton of wall paper,  wood paneling, old bathrooms, and so on and so on! Well, luckily... we could not be tempted.  The price is still too high for the amount of work it needs.  It is more than c...

So, I love a good DIY project that is cheap!  Mason Jars (or any jars) are green (reuse or recycle).  Options are endless for what you can do with a good mason jars!  Of course as I mentioned Monday.. I have outdoors on the mind! Check out some lovely uses of mason jars! Image from HGTV Photo from Sunset Photo via Chez Beeper Bebe Image from Crafy Nest Image from Treasure Again on Etsy Photo from The Inspired Room You can get mason jars at any craft store for only a few bucks.  Options for what you can do with them are endless!  Until next time...xoxo

Spring has sprung in Boston.  It is great.  With warm weather means that it is time to enjoy our backyard and ... it is not quite ready.  I have talked endlessly here , here and here ... about the fact that our yard is "ghetto".  It is an utter nightmare and no I am not exaggerating!  It is a small yard... but with potential- if we only knew what the heck we were doing! Here are some cool, small backyard inspiration photos! Here is what is on our "wish list": - Cozy patio area with build in benches - Shrubs- easy to maintain (impossible to kill) that look good year round - Landscaping that has highs and lows (tall things to soften fence and low flowers/shrubbery - Shed (get rid of our old shed and build a smaller more aesthetically pleasing replacement) - Firepit (husband request.... I am on the fence with this one) - Expansive (for our small yard) and soft and plush grass - Small planter box for some herbs and a few veggies That is a long list...hunh?  We...