Hey all, are you feeling completely done with winter where you are? I definitely am. I started working on a few projects in 2015 that I just cant wait to complete once spring comes around, but until that time, I've just been vegging out, and not accomplishing much of anything. For that matter, I haven't done much of anything for awhile now.

I worry that I've hit that point in homeownership where all of those things you had dreams of changing, are all just that now, a dream. I feel complacent in our space, now that 90% of the aesthetic changes we wanted to make are done. They are all done "for-now" but not done "the-way-I-inevitably-want-them" you know? I would still love to totally-overhaul the upstairs bathroom someday, and restore the exterior of the house (that is a whole nother story, my friends), but a little refresh to all things in the meantime makes it feel just fine, you know what I mean?

Every single wall in our house now (except for the attic, but I'll get to that in a minute) has received new coats of paint, virtually all of the fixtures have been replaced, and every room has almost all of the furnishings we need for them purchased and installed: beds, tables, rugs, etc. It all just feels like we're waaaiting to upgrade at this point. Like: We have a rug that functions for now, but eventually we'd like to upgrade to this one...

Do you ever feel like that, home / apartment owners? How do I keep my vision alive and well in my brain, and stay motivated until such time that I have the time and money to take on these projects? I dont want to stall out now and remain like this forever, dreams-deferred.

But at the same time, I realize that I am so fortunate to have come this far, to have done as much as I have. I try to remind myself what it all looked like when we first moved in, and the leaps-and-bounds better everything has become (and not just aesthetically, but functionally too!).

In the meantime, as we continue to putter away these last few weeks of winter, I'll leave you with some photos of the house as it is today, and will remind myself to enjoy them! Hope you are all safe and warm and well, friends. And here's to spring!

My whole life, I have never been into perfumes. I probably went through a "body mist" phase in middle school, when those were big. Remember Bath & Body Works?? I think I even had one with a weird fine shimmer in it!? Sure, I've received a small bottle of perfume here or there as gifts, but I've never worn them on a regular basis. Until now, I've never really thought about fragrances much at all.

The difference I think, is that there are so very many natural, handmade and thoughtfully designed products out there now, that I haven't been able to help myself but pin a bunch of them to my wishlist! I've lately been into the idea of trying one (or a few) out, and then picking one that I think is subtle (and affordable) enough to become a part of my everyday routine.

So I thought I would make a roundup of some I would love to try. This works well as a gift guide too, with the Holidays coming up (hey, gift guides can be for yourself too, right??) Have you guys ever tried any of these, or any others that you would recommend?

Clockwise from top left:

No. 09 Vallée de Farney parfum from Maison Louis Marie
Gypsy Water eau de parfum by Byredo - so pricey but sounds so gorgeous! I actually saw this on in person in Paris this fall, and it was so hard let me tell you not to buy a few of them!
Prairie Fire by Na Nin x HDH - handy roll-on!
Ace Smell by For All Time, via Need Svpply Co. - looks unfortunately out of stock, but I haven't given up on it yet.
Winter 1972 by CB I Hate Perfume (sounds perfect for me!) - hilarious story, I actually pinned this one it looks like years ago, and recently went to check out cool shop IDUN and fell in love with the fragrance all over again (in person!)
OLO fragrances - I would probably have to go with one of their newer scents called Lightning Paw, or an older one, Foret.

You know, I feel like maybe I'm experiencing a pattern where every year around this time, the change of seasons, I tend to get a pretty bad case of the wants. It must have to do with new fall lines coming out and Holiday advertising beginning to take hold, but for real guys. I want. Everything that local e-retailer Ship & Shape has to offer. I mean, seriously.

Like this nubby planter!

This funny little dish (actually, all the ceramics!)

Please somebody out there reading this, draw my name for secret santa this year! I want this one of a kind Mountain Ring.

Definitely go check 'em out! Fast!

I have been waiting a long and hard 11 months to get the light fixtures in the living / dining room changed out, as that is where we spend the majority of our time and therefore, find ourselves staring at the hideous builder's grade boob light fixtures most often in. We finally got around to it these past few days... Pro tip: installing things on the ceiling during a 110 degree heat wave is not fun! So sweaty and tired!! But it was worth it.

Exhibit A: Before! The dreaded (matching) boob lights!

Exhibit B: After! We've got two new reproduction ceiling medallions installed and two beautiful (unique) fixtures! (Sorry for the filtered iPhone photos y'all, its all I got!)

The medallions still have to be caulked, patched and touch-up painted (and we're missing just one of the bulbs in the chandelier? (I dont really know what happened there) But they are up and they look beautiful! Hooray!

EDIT: Now that the new fixtures are up, I am sort of feeling the urge to rearrange the dining room art wall. So soon, you say? Why yes, I only finished installing that about 6 mo ago, but I think a change in the art for Fall is an all-around good idea, no? A9Alex is going to kill me when he reads this! :D )

You guys! Madewell is having a 20% off sale this morning, and I am doing everything in my power not to hit "add to cart" on everything!! Seriously, I've loved Madewell for some time now, but only own a gold bangle from them (given to me by my lovely and thoughtful husband!). Here are the top 5 things I wish I could buy for spring! (That is, if it ever decides to change seasons around here... Notice a theme? White!!)

clockwise from top left: skinny skinny ankle jean in mapview!  /the transport tote / two-tone sweater /  the linen tee in ink print / the Chelsea boot in black leather

Here are a list of my favorite things on the MSP Craigslist right now. I wish I could afford to get all of them!

round Room & Board end table, $160  // For the Living Room.

round tulip-style table for the kitchen $150 // Though I'd prefer ahem... a white marble top.

beautiful teak wood patio set $375 // Though I'm not completely sold on those super bright red cusions. I would probably want to recover them in Black, Grey or Tan.

This great wooden storage unit! $200 // For the basement workroom area.

Set of two industrial light fixtures, $25 each // For the Master Bedroom.

Midcentury chrome desk lamp $40 // For the Master Bedroom or Guest Bedroom.

The perfect rustic wood bench, $50!! // For the Foyer!

Okay peeps, I told myself I wouldnt begin tiling the kitchen backsplash right away after we got the house, since it's one of the larger projects on my list. These things take time (and monies!) But after further review (and after Anna from Door Sixteen just posted her big tiling job), I think I might need to move this project up a bit! I'm just itching for that yummy subway tile! And it really is so affordable (Home Depot's is only $1.84 per square foot). Just time consuming. I can't imagine I'm going to want to do this project this spring/summer/fall when all I want to do is hang out on our new patio in the backyard (larger project #1 on the list!) and drink margaritas all day long. SO, a winter project this must be! Either this or next.

Here are some great inspiration photos I've been gathering for our kitchen. It's the subway tile, yes, but also the general look and feel of these new turn-of-the-century style kitchens that I love. I want to also add more period-style fixtures and some wood touches here and there.

But here's the catch guys... I cant decide on a few aspects of the subway tile. How far up should it go? My instinct tells me up to the bottom of the small window in the butler's pantry area, and then continue that height all the way around the room. BUT, would that look weird if I tile the wall with the two windows only that high up? Should I tile the wall with the windows at all, or all the way up?? And lastly, should I tile the column in the center of the room at all, and how high up? The same height or all the way up?

It's little things like this that keep me up at night, guys. Exciting stuff, I know. So here's a poll! I need your advice for consideration, until I decide to undertake this project. Who knows, if everyone's pretty much unanimous, this might get done sooner rather than later! Haha, dont tell Alex... :)

EDIT: Wow, none of these images are available anymore. Sorry for the broken links, guys! I'll try to get these replaced soon.

Image c/o This Old House

It's the world I live in people. Ceiling Medallion world. It is a beautiful world, sure. But also a frustrating one. In which, I am swimming in options and sizes (thank god for the internet), but cant find one to match the authentic casual Victorian feel of our house that ALSO has an inner diameter of at least 4 1/2" to save my life. You see, I've collected these three modern globe ceiling fixtures to replace the ugly outdoor-looking ones that were installed in our house when it was flipped. And the canopies need at least 4 1/2" in the center to fit them into the ceiling medallion (which, This Old House recommends, should have an outer diameter of at least 18" to fit the scale of rooms over 140 sq ft with up to 10' ceilings). All I can find are inner diameters of 3 5/8" or there arent dimensions listed (internet fail). GUH.

I wish I could just blink my eyes and 6 perfect matching ceiling medallions would appear on my doorstep, instead of sifting through the internet for the thousandth time (my head hurts!)

Image from Architectural Depot

Okay... vent over. Other things sitting on my to do list that I am itching to get done asap?

+ Paint the guest room
+ Hang the 2013 calendar that Alex got me for Christmas!
+ Cut boards for missing shelves in several of our closets, paint boards, install
+ Buy a small touch up can of white for the trim, touch up scuffs and chips!
+ Cut wood for small upstairs bathroom shelf, paint, install
+ Take down all Christmas decorations and re-arrange living/dining room

As many of you know, I was swamped last week with work (another successful MCAD Art Sale finally over! Take a look at this video for proof!), but am finally back to my regularly scheduled programming and I'm looking forward to a restful Thanksgiving Break this weekend! I am also looking forward to having some time for house projects after I have thoroughly stuffed myself tomorrow. Some plans may or may not include:

+ Paint the upstairs bathroom white
+ Begin painting polka dots!
+ Hand desk/counter in my studio
+ Buy frames for new art from the sale, frame
+ Hang new art from the sale
+ decide on and get a towel hook for upstairs bath, install
+ measure kitchen pendant light fixtures, find new clear globes to fit, install
+ tidy up bedroom, living room and dining room (what a mess!)
+ start gathering christmas decorations! (I'm thinking the grocery store may have real wreaths about now? Too soon?)
+ Go get a Christmas Tree!
+ do laundry!
+ put away laundry!

Here are some recent house inspiration pictures that loosely relate to my house plans! Have a Happy and safe Thanksgiving everyone!

It's time for another episode of "WHATS COOL ON CRAIGSLIST THIS WEEK." I'm your host, and welcome back to whats recently become a regular installment, apparently! Forewarning people, prepare to drool. (And ps: I've been building this post for awhile, so I am sure some of these are long gone already, in classic craigslist style).

Eames Lounge knock-off, complete with ottoman $350!

60's Highboy Dresser $325 (a set of two)!

The Most Giant Mirror I have Ever Seen! $200

White Herman Miller round table, $175

Great Navy and Cream striped Mid Century Sofa, $475

Ikea NORDEN Dining Table, $300

This awesome rustic outdoor dining set! $165

That's all for now folks. But yours truly, the self-professed craigslist skimmer, will be back very soon... I am sure.