Another installment of Puppies in Lovely Houses

So, I'm still not finished with my post about the Gala at the Met (sad face).  But we did capture this fun little video of Ted howling while I practice my violin:

~Click on me to watch Ted "sing"~

Did that make up for my lack of pretty dresses and fashion commentary?  No???  Well, why not? ;)  And yes, my husband DID upload a video of our dog on YouTube, you can now judge me.

Since I'm not quite done with the fashion post, and since we're on the subject of doggies already, I'm going to bring you another installment of my series "Puppies In Lovely Houses."  I knew you'd be excited, but please try to contain it to a reasonable level of insanity, especially if you're reading this at work.  Unless you'd like to share my blog, then please shout about it, by all means.  Off we go...

Holy cute.  This little guy HAS to be part Westie, and if you know me you KNOW how much I ADORE this breed.  I WILL  have a Westie one day.  It WILL happen.  For now, I'll dream about lying on this orange tufted fainting couch and snuggling with little man, here.

 

 

ANOTHER terrier?! And hanging chairs?!  What are these people trying to do to me??  I'm DYING of adorable.  This looks like a Norwich terrier, and the woven hanging chairs with the woolen seats are so unexpected.  I wonder how much it swings when this little guy jumps in?

It's officially Terrier day on my blog.  I can't get enough of their sweet little faces!  But Lord knows, you can't trust them by a counter.  Leave this one alone for two seconds and he'll have inhaled everything in the vicinity.  Also, love this butcher block island/counter.  I'm looking at making one for my kitchen soon (yet ANOTHER in-progress post...).

ANOTHER Westie!  Death by cute!  This space is super fresh and modern, without feeling cold (I find this difficult to accomplish with white walls, especially). The turquoise backsplash is rockin', and the Westie just adds to the cohesive feel of the room, don't you think?  Maybe this is how I'll justify another dog to Eric?

Actual puppy on the bench and a puppy pillow on the bed.  I. Want. To. Live. Here.  Or maybe just buy a puppy pillow to put on our bed, since I already have an actual puppy.

TWO puppies!  Double cute!  Don't you think dogs in pictures add to the feel that someone actually LIVES there? I definitely do.  I want my house to feel lived in.  I want there to be lots of comfortable seating available, and Teddy just makes (most) people feel even more at home.  Do you like doggies in your spaces or are you a "dogs belong outside" type of person?  I hope you're having a lovely day so far.  Happy Wednesday, friends!

Workin' it out

I'm working on a post that will be done (hopefully) today, about the best and worst dressed at the Met Gala last night (waaaaaay better than the Academy Awards red carpet!) But as I spent all of last night watching children (my students) at a music concert... and doing a little of this, myself...

And now my email in-box is full, and this is always what it feels like:

I have this subconscious fear that everyone who emails me is sitting by their computer counting the seconds until I answer.  Every moment I don't increases their disapproval, until they form an angry mob and unite against me.  See?  I told you.  I'm nuts.  That being said, I SWEAR I'll have the post done by tonight (I think).  It may have to wait til tomorrow (hope not!)?  Please forgive me, and have a happy Tuesday, friends!

Backyard progress & epiphany

After Eric worked tirelessly on Saturday to take out the top foot of our filled-in pool (only one more foot to go!  Hurrah!), we have a pile of rubble in our backyard that looks like this:

 

Only about 10 times bigger.  So.... what are we gonna do with it?  My first thought, was GET RID OF IT.  DUH.  Buuuut, it costs about $300-$400 to dump it at a landfill.  WHAA?!  That's over 1/2 of our budget for the entire backyard.  No dice.   Second thought: what if we load it into a truck and distribute it slyly to a bunch of different dumpsters?  No one will notice, right?  Wrong.  We could get arrested.  As posting bail is not included in our budget, this plan is also no dice.  So, what to do?  

Enter an awesome co-worker who suggests using/reusing the concrete and re-bar to make a little half wall  around our soon-to-be sandstone patio, like this:

Awesome, right?!  I have the wire (used re-bar from the pool), and I'd only need to invest in the mesh!  I also think I could use some salvaged wood to make a little seat for the top of the "cage," so we could have it as extra patio seating.  BOOYAH!  Wow, this project went from a downer to a winner in no time.  Here's some close up pics of similar rock walls for your viewing pleasure:

 

We are eventually going to have a large sandstone patio, as the person who filled in the pool and planted two palm trees in the deep end (LOSER!), also left us 5 ginormous stacks of sandstone pavers (WINNER!).  I'm very conflicted about the previous owner, as you can see.  He is also responsible for the EIGHT different types of flooring throughout our 1300 square foot home (ranging from asbestos-laden tile to pergo to linoleum and two types of carpet... but that's a story for another time).  Hopefully our patio will eventually look like this:

The U-shaped half wall will be of caged rock instead of sandstone, and you should eliminate anything green from your minds eye, as we live on the surface of the sun.  It'll be mostly desert landscape (little/no water use = cheap and green!), but we'll have a little plot of grass just to try and convince ourselves that the place where we live is suitable for humans.  

Are you ready for the best part of the story??  I think I can do all of this (realistically) for around $400!!!!!  WINNING!  All I need is: rent a machine to pound the ground flat (already have the sand to level it out) - $40, mortar for the sandstone (already have tools and experience laying a patio) - $150, welding equipment (borrowed from a relative) - free!, wire mesh - $175, and wood for the seat (hopefully salvaged and free, but if not...) - $50.  Yeah baby!  Plus, Eric and I feel like this will turn what could be a very basic backyard ito something that's unique, and very "us."  Our quest continues this week and into next weekend (never mind that I'm hosting mothers day for 15 people on Sunday - holy crap!  But more on that later), so wish us luck!

P.S.  If you know how to weld.... is it hard?  It's one of the only "DIY" things I've not done before.  I have assurances from a friend that it's "easy,"  but I want the truth, people!  

I hope your day is going well; maybe when I finish getting all the pics uploaded and edited I'll tell you the story of how a Wallaby ended up on our porch last Thursday evening (yes, you read that right, and YES we live in the MIDDLE of an urban city.)  And now that I'm sure I have you on pins and needles, I'm going to make you wait for it.   Happy Monday, friends!

The Weekend Warriors bring you...The beginning of our new backyard!

Guess what's happening in our backyard today??

 

Yep, that's right!  The used-to-be-pool-turned-dirt-pit that has been in the backyard since we bought the house (beggars in expensive cities can't be choosy!) is coming OUT!  Eric, my dad, and some AMAZING friends are here helping to hammer, rip, pull, and smash apart the top two feet of concrete so that we can officially take the pool off of our homeowners insurance (REE-diculous that is has had to remain on there until now!  It's supposed to be extra on your insurance in case anyone ever drowns in your pool - how could someone drown in dirt?!).  Pretty soon (i.e. 2+ years), grass, new pavers, and a garden will go in.  For now, I'll be thankful to get rid of the eyesore that has been the "pool."  Did I mention that it's been filled in for so long that palm trees are now happily growing from the deep end?  Sheesh.  What were people THINKING? 

We took some "before" pictures, but they're soooo horrible that I'm embarrassed to post them.  Perhaps I'll do a progress so far post on Monday when I feel like we've made progress.  At least it doesn't look like this backyard...

(AGAIN! THIS IS NOT MY YARD, thank heaven!)

But with the cinder block fence and hard-packed dirt... well, it's pretty close.  *Shame*  But we don't have junk in our backyard, I can say that much!

So, for the rest of today, I'll be listening to jack hammering noises, carting concrete into the back of a truck, and making lemonade/ice tea until I run out of water (gotta keep those workers happy!).  I hope your day is shaping up to be a wonderful one!  Happy Saturday, friends!

A Fairytale...

Wasn't she a vision?  I'm an all-American girl, don't get me wrong... but I couldn't not watch Will and Kate tie the knot at 3AM AZ time this morning.  The ceremony was lovely and the looked like they genuinely love each other.  And how about that DRESS?  I'm in LOVE.  She can keep Will, I'll marry the dress tomorrow!  (Also, was it possible for Mr. and Mrs. Middleton to produce a child who wasn't goegeous?!  Sheesh!  Pippa and James are lookers too!)

Sarah Burton, you are a goddess, although it doesn't look like what you normally design, I LOVE it!!

 

They are going to make GORGEOUS babies (and my bet is they don't wait long to start!).

Ahhh, happily ever after! =)  Happy Friday, friends!

(all images via Associated Press)

Dreamy Bedrooms and... Fundido?

After cooking a meal for a relative yesterday, making dinner for 3 last night, cooking dinner for 8 this morning for tonight (here we come, crock pot!), and cleaning my whole house, while writing 4 tests for my students... I. Am. Exhausted.  Holy cow I need a nap.  Good thing my students are so much fun and keep me energized.  Oddly enough, the only time I think about wanting a nap is on my prep time.  Guess I'm in the right profession =)  But, since I'm thinking about napping now, I think I'd like to sleep in one of these rooms...

 Doesn't that throw at the end of the bed scream at you to wrap up in it and snuggle?  It's like it'll be mad at me if I don't, guess I better go snuggle before I upset it - twist my arm... (also please notice the PUPPY in the picture - adorbs!)

 I want to lay in one of these and nap with the soft spring sun on my face... Maybe fall asleep while reading a book.  Mmmkay?  Mmmkay.

This is for my glammier naps (yep, I just made glam into a superlative adjective - and yes I'm the Grammar Queen for knowing what a superlative adjective is).  I'll lie about in my silk drwssing gown with my hair perfectly tousled and makeup fully done and the people from Vogue will come to take my picture because I'm just that glamorous.

Canopy bed?  Amazeballs.  And another throw across the foot of a bed is calling my name.  I must be craving snuggle weather.  Not great for me since it's about to be eleventyhundred degrees here in less than a week and it'll be that way for so long that you might as well burn all of your cold weather things...

Mmmmm, cottage napping should equal love.  And while cottages are cute, I'm always creeped that there will be a spider in my bed.  It's like my brain thinks Cottages + Spiders = Love Forever.  Anyone else feel this way??  No?  Just me?  Yep, thanks brain for making look crazy... AGAIN.

 This is my favorite picture of all of them.  A cozy little nook, adorable bed frame, and cushy cotton bedding.  Doesn't it look like the mattress could be made of down??  Oh I hope it is!  Cue me jumping wildly into this adorable little scene!

 How romantic!  This bed is looking for a napper plus one.  An the gigantic foot board is quite the statement piece.  Perhaps they put the bed together backwards?? ;)  In all seriousness, I love it, and wish I had enough space in my room to do the same.

 Now this looks like something I could re-create in a home around here; albeit, not my home.  I have one 2x3 window in my bedroom.  One.  That's right, ladies and gentlemen, I sleep in Cell Block A at the AZ state penitentiary. Or at least it feels that way sometimes.  I'm working on a plan for the drapes to make it look like the window is much larger than it is.  *Crossing fingers* I hope it works!!!

Do you love sea-grass wallpaper?  I think it's really the only sort of wallpaper that I do like (provided the grain runs horizontally - I'm picky, so sue me).  Don't get me wrong, I've seen some GORGEOUSLY wallpapered rooms, they're just not for me.  I had some bad wallpaper experiences as a kid (seriously), and I'm not looking for a repeat.  But this sparing and tasteful use could be something I'd want in a bedroom someday.  Oooh!  Or a wide hallway above a chair rail!  Mmmmm, maybe wallpaper and I will get together again one of these days - But for now I'm still holding my grudge.

Are you sleepy this Wednesday?  I absolutely am.  What with getting up so early to prep our dinner (again, enter the worlds BEST appliance, the <3 CROCK POT <3 ), I didn't have a chance to make my lunch.  So, I'll be going to my fave fast food Mexican joint, SomeBurros to have the always-amazing...

 5 Dollar Fundidio Wednesday

special. =) It looks like this:

It's OK to be jealous of my close access to mediocre Mexican fast food.  And yes, I can eat the whole thing.  So suck on that, health nuts!!  Just kidding (about the insult, not eating the whole thing - I can definitely do that).

In other food news (can you tell I'm HUNGRY?!), hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to post 2 amazing recipes that are waiting in my "need-to-post-about-this-stuff-because-it's-getting-so-old-I'm-starting-to-forget-what-I-did" folder.  A booze-less (sad face) berry bread pudding, and Chicken in Peanut sauce with couscous.  Cue salivation.  =)  Happy Wednesday, homies!


(all images via ElleDecor - except the fundido, obvi!)

New couch!

I FINALLY purchased a new couch last Friday.  I've been searching in Craigslist for over 6 months (I'm picky, can you tell??), and my search has been made infinitely more difficult by my budget: $250.  Yep, $250 for a tight-backed, neutral colored, 3 cushion sofa.  P.S. EVERYONE wants this sofa.  I have been scouring the website at least once a day (sometimes many more times a day - don't judge!), and at times I became so discouraged I worried I'd never find anything. 

On a somewhat related note, can we find the person responsible for overstuffed furniture?  Particularly the faux leather stuff?  H-I-D-E-O-U-S!!!  That's my opinion, of course, but it seen that this is all that is sold on Craigslist.  And futons, let's not forget those.  Aaaaannnyway...

After sorting through 6 months of mostly garbage (made exponentially easier at the end by my discovery of CraigsEasy - which allows you to see just the pictures - TRY IT!!), and having my hopes dashed a few times (YOU try buying a quality sofa for $200!!), I stumbled upon this listing:

Could it BE?!  A Crate and Barrel, tight-backed, 3 cushion sofa for only $175?!!?!? There HAD to be something wrong with it...  But I immediately called the guy and set up an appointment to look at it pretty much less than an hour later.  When I saw it, I was in LOVE.  It needs a cleaning, but since that will cost only about $25, I came in under budget!  Wahoo!!  I made it mine ASAP, and now it and all of it's down-cushioned, linen-covered glory is sitting in my living room looking all gorgeous:

(Don't pay any attention to the curtains or lamp, they're both gone soon!) Ted was thrilled about us buying him a new bed.  We even had to spring for a few new pillows (the one on the right is new - only $15 at Target!)  With a throw and a few green pillows to match the rest of the space (and an appropriately sized coffee table - slow down, April!  We'll get there, slowly but surely!), it should look AMAZING.  I'll have to take more pics of my new baby.  But here is the "blue print" of the sofa, for lack of a better term:

Did I mention that when Crate and Barrel sold this sofa (just last year), it retailed for $2700?!?!  I just goes to show that if you're patient, and dedicated (to Craigslist searches), you CAN have beautiful things and stay in your budget.  Kind of like car or home shopping...  You can't get attached until it's officially yours - if you don't get what you want, something else will come along in a while.

Speaking of staying within your budget...  A friend of mine posted this a few weeks back and it had me rolling.  I'm not sure why I never saw this air originally, but if you struggle with sticking to your budget, watch this: Don't Buy Stuff You Cannot Afford - SNL.  Hilarious, but TRUE. 

Hopefully, we'll have a room that eventually looks something like this:

I love the soft neutrals and bright pops of green.  Add a little navy blue in there and I'm ready to move right in.  Here I come, dream family room! 

Have you had any recent Craigslist victories?  I'm beginning my search for curtain panels, and I may end up making my own (shudders with fear and excitement in the face of another giant project).  I hope your week is going well so far; happy Tuesday, friends!