Ten Things to Blog About

Hi!

Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year!

Just wanted to pop in and blog something because, oh, I don't know, I was feeling guilty about starting a new blog and then being the worst blogger ever.

I have a couple of things bouncing around my head tonight and I thought I would share them since this is my blog and all.

{1} We finished our laundry room! I will take pictures at some point in 2014 ;). And we went all out, too. New everything--floors, ceilings, door casings (craftsman style!), shelving, paint, lighting, and accessories. Going in there makes me happy which is a big deal because laundry sucks.

{2} This little one is turning 2 in a couple of months and I started planning his birthday party this week. I am bound and determined to keep it small and simple, but I love the theme. It has to do with some of his favorite things, which are construction trucks. :)

 

(Oh, those times that he wraps his arms around me and smiles! Melts me.)

{3} We are in Austin right now at a SUPER nice resort that has been fully funded by the school district thanks to the fact the Bryan's golf team is playing in a tournament and I'm the official "women's sponsor". I had to get a background check and everything. We are having a blast and even bribed my mom (with Parker's presence) to fly down from Denver (Go Broncos!) and spend the long weekend with us.

Yesterday, we shopped around the famous 6th Street District (more like on 2nd Street though), saw the capitol, and ate some great food. (Annie's and Hula Hut for the locals.) Today, we are going to the park so Parker can ride the "too-too" train and possibly to the children's museum if we have time.

 

(Picture of the resort. Yep!)

{4} I have read a lot of books since Christmas break and have loved most of them. They are: The Divergent Series (Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant---I can't even...they are good...and I don't want to spoil anything, but I had a hard time with the last one), The Spectacular Now (great book, and maybe the only book I've ever read that I liked the movie more--I mean, it has Kyle Chandler in it! Coach Taylor!), If I Stay (sad), The Maze Runner, and Reconstructing Amelia (it was good, although it has a ton of plot holes). I am currently on Sisterland. It's great so far.

{5} I need to re-paint my brand spankin' new-to-me barstools that were a total score off of Craigslist (3 for $60). Yep. And they look almost identical to these from Pottery Barn but with a natural wooden seat instead of woven:

 

 I can't decide between the original black or maybe a gray or maybe like a deep gulf green?

 

{6} Speaking of barstools, I also need to suck it up finish the kitchen and post pictures. It is done from a glance, but we still need to:

-Paint the pantry door
-Put new craftsman door casings on pantry and kitchen entrances (this is Bryan's to-do), paint
-Paint baseboards to match cabinets
-Pick out a freaking chandelier. Guys, this has been torturing me for months. Maybe I should blog about it?
-Get a new rug for the dining room
-Paint barstools
-Possible paint door hardware and knobs (is anyone opposed to the antique brass trend?)
-Possibly, maybe, but probably not convince my husband do to a bead board backsplash
-I would love a new SS dishwasher and stove but that ain't gonna happen right now. Patience is a virtue! And appliances are expensive.

 {7} The shop has been super busy lately which I am extremely grateful for! Parker isn't going to college and our house isn't getting decorated without my little shop on Etsy. (You think I'm kidding, but I'm actually not, ha!) This is my newest invite and I like it a lot--just added it the other night.

{8} Bryan just finished talking in his sleep. Something about toilet paper and effectiveness. My mom and I died laughing as I egged him on. And yes, I am writing this post in the middle of the night. And yes, my mom passed her insomnia on to me and my sisters.

{9} My main New Year's resolution was to go to bed before midnight which I am failing at miserably right now. Oh well, I'm on vacation, right?

{10} While shopping in Austin, we came across a FLOR store, which I have seen around blog world and was interested in since I (eventually) would like to get a new living room rug. The one we have right now is too small for the room so I am being forced to shop. ;)  I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of FLOR's carpet tiles! After going to the store, I'm also thinking of using them wall-to-wall in our bedrooms, since you can just switch out the tiles if they are ruined and they have some great natural fiber options which is what I have been planning to put in the bedrooms anyways. My favorites are Roadside Attraction, Weave a Story, A Tisket A Tasket, and Suit Yourself.

 (Roadside Attraction)

 Well, I HAVE to go to bed, especially after this novel. What has been going on in your world? Any new projects? Books? Trips? Great places to go in Austin?

 

Have a wonderful day!