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The House-Buying Dilemma

I try to be as self-reflective as humanly possible and there is one thing that I keep coming back to, I'm pretty damn picky.  It annoys my husband to no end - who can blame him, he's weary of buying me gifts that I literally pick out myself, only to have me second guess the choice and then return them.  I'm the queen bee of returns!

Now with shoes, this works out just fine, that's what exchange policies are for (hooray!).  There is one major thing in my near future that my tendencies are not well-equipped for...signing a mortgage.  I'd like to think of my finicky nature in a more positive way, I just really enjoy change!  (or I really am turning into my mother, haha)  Hopping from one apartment to the next is an opportunity for me to switch things up, decorate a new space, try out a new neighborhood - something about a house just seems so darn final?  (nuts, I know)  But as the discussion about kids and our exorbitant rent continues to become more frequent (and dear friends of ours take the plunge), I really need to "get serious" about this VERY adult decision.

I wonder if you know just how particular I am?  I think I can use this post as a sort-of, I-know-I'm-crazy-I'll-share-it-with-you, forum.  The following is a list of things I'm really looking for --- because it is kinda fun to dream, isn't it - heck, what's Pinterest for?!

1.  (the most important of all things) It must be unique.  I cannot live in a byproduct of standard suburbia.  I would rather have a tiny house with loads of character than a huge house with none.  No cookie cutters!: 

Image via TinyWhiteDasies

*Granted, I can create some character myself...

Like paint the front door a super bold color, Image via BH&G


2.  I need a kitchen I can work with, meaning, I get a cute little nook/the ability to change knobs or cabinet color/it doesn't look like it's from the 70's but can look like it's from the 50's:

Image via Tumblr, source unknown.


It can be tiny, it just needs to be cool!  Image via Design Sponge


Nook Cam, Image via BH&G



3.  I've got to have some outdoor space --- with potential!

Image via That Inspirational Girl


Front porch via A Beautiful Mess


4.  A tiny entryway would make me really happy:

I'm going to wallpaper something, Image via BH&G


It can be tiny, just some hooks and bead-board, Image via Design Sponge


5.  A tub, somewhere.  (Clawfoot is optional...I think I can modify that)

Image via Country Living

...and the ability to paint one bathroom a VERY obnoxious color.

Image via BH&G


6.  A mantel, I really want a mantel.  Don't care if the fireplace is functional:

Image via Design Sponge


Image via Decor8


7.  A cozy bedroom space for John and I (with enough closet space):

Image via Country Living


8.  A finished basement for John to play in (if I could decorate it mid-century modern or industrial, I would, doubt I'll be allowed to touch it, haha).  In case you're listening honey:

Image via Little Green Notebook


9.  Pick one of the following: awesome tile, nooks of any kind, non-1990s stained glass, molding, bead-board, wainscoting, copper anything, a sun-room, a screened-in porch, cool barnlighting.  I call it my "wow factor" and I need to point to at least one!


Tile galore!  Image via Free Home Decorating


Indoor porch via BH&G


Schoolhouse Light (could install myself) via Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co.


10.  Lots of light.  I live somewhere now where everything is like a cave (and it's great for our air conditioning bill), but I need some sun baby!

So much light, Image via Storied and Styled


Image via BH&G


Whew!  Now, keep in mind, I'm a DIY-er.  Theoretically, I can make some of this stuff happen.  I just need to avoid houses with eye-sore details that would be expensive to change.  That's the final issue, we aren't made of money - bummer!

We've been dipping the toe in and poking around at places...nothing has made me "pee-happy" quite yet, but we've got some time.

Oh and whenever we finally take this leap, we'll be getting one of these guys to play with our kittens:

Aussie Shepherd via Pinterest (source unknown)

Thanks for listening!

HUGS!


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Musings.

I should be working, honest to God.  Instead, I've been staring at the following:

This chick's hair (what a babe):

Image via Green Wedding Shoes

This badass coral lipstick:

Too Faced Lipsitck in Coral Fire

And this Molly Hatch illustrated platter that I want turned into a tattoo on my shoulder blade (dead serious):

Platter via Anthropologie, my little bro got me the matching cake stand for Christmas


Hope you're being more productive than me OR stirring up trouble on this Saturday night!


HUGS!



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Bake It: Aunt Marge's Lemon Bread

It's no secret that midwesterners are currently begging on their knees wishing for warmer weather, we've been in a bit of a slump here people!  To prove I believe in Spring (or just because I know I'll be enjoying 72 degrees in the San Francisco sun starting Thursday), I've decided to bake something fresh and sunny.


Now, I'm not many things, but a hell of a baker is something I'm proud to gloat nauseatingly about add to my personal resume.  I was lucky enough to grow up in a house that always smelled like cinnamon and apple streusel.  My mother is an INSANE baker.  I'm not kidding.  My brother and I never had hostess treats in our lunches, no way, Mar made fresh desserts to pack every school day.  I'm pretty sure Ben used to sell them for money to his buddies as he got older (this stuff was that good).  Birthday parties? Softball games? Sleepovers?  Forget it, she baked a smorgusboard of deliciousness for every event.  I'm pretty sure a few guys dated me in high school just to get their hands on some met-away mint brownies.


And so, I was gifted a tiny piece of her baking talent and she has been thrilled to share all of her mouth-watering recipes with me.  I have one spoiled husband.  On to the task at hand...a light, fluffy, simple lemon bread.  Ladies, if you want to impress someone, you gotta bake this shit. Not only does it look beautiful right out of the oven, but it's super easy and requires only one mixing bowl and a loaf pan.


Aunt Marge's recipe is an old one - so it uses lemon juice from the bottle for simplicity.  If you want to replace it with fresh lemon juice, be my guest.  Hell, throw some zest in there!  This recipe has a really delicate lemon flavor (carried through the glaze), so feel free to play.

Aunt Marge's Lemon Bread

1/2 c. oil
1 c. sugar
3 Tbs. lemon juice
2 eggs
1/2 c. milk (whole, if you have it)
1 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 c. of flour
pinch of salt

Glaze:
1/4 c. sugar
3 Tbs. lemon juice

Mix all the bread ingredients together and pour into a greased loaf pan.  Bake for 45 - 50 minutes at 350 degrees (or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean).

While hot, pour glaze over the top.  Let stand 30 minutes before serving to allow glaze to set.


Hopefully you'll enjoy this bread as much as I do - I love it still warm from the oven with a tall glass of iced tea (although I will wait until warmer weather for the latter).


HUGS!


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Ice Cream Social Round-Up

For some reason I'm on an ice cream kick today.  My husband is a HUGE sweet tooth and I'm sorta the carb-a-holic in the bunch.  That being said, I have a weakness for ice cream.  I'm thinking that for my birthday this year (all the way in June, so yes, I sound nuts), I'd like to have an ice cream social with all the windows in our little apartment wide open.  Music, ice cream, and a breeze.  That would be a good day.

If you're interested in what my brain puts together when I think of the ideal ice cream soiree, here goes:

TABLEWARE ---
Have a buffet table filled with cheery little cups, spoons, pints (with painted polka dots or little chalkboard stickers), and plenty of napkins.

Ice Cream cups via Shop Sweet Lulu


Polka dot bowl via Fish's Eddy


Ice Cream Spoons via Pomme


Toot Sweet Spotty Napkins


Ice Cream Cone Stand Tutorial via Oh Happy Day!


EATS ---
Toppings are key, mine would be colorful and specialized.  I would probably attempt to make my own cones, maybe even try my hand at ice cream!

Toppings via Williams Sonoma


Fill some baskets (via Anthropologie) with fresh berries


Caramel Topping via American Spoon Foods


Dispenser (via Williams Sonoma) could be filled with homemade whipped cream!


Waffle Cone Recipe via Martha Stewart


Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe (via A Cup of Jo) - only if you are VERY ambitious.


I would also crumble up some Vosges Caramel Toffee and sprinkle it right over a bowl of my favorite Ben & Jerry's flavor.

NOTE: You could make one of these booze-filled ice cream floats for some extra party fun!


DECOR ---
Easy little projects and details could really spruce up this party:


Ice Cream Cone Pinata via Hobby Lobby


Ice Cream Cone Stamp via Paper Source (for paper goods)


Ice Cream Cone Garland Tutorial via Oh Happy Day!


Soft Serve Temporary Tattoo via Tattly


Confetti-filled balloons via Kojo Designs


Rainbow Stripe Washi Tape via Cute Tape


DIY Confetti Tablecloth via Oh Happy Day!


Go forth and plan!

HUGS!




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