House Plans for 2013

I’ve been pondering our house a lot lately.  I’m itching to start something but Nate is heading into tax season.  Tax season means I lose my carpenter for 4 months.  But at least I have my dreams, right?  I should learn to use power tools.  And double check my health insurance deductible for when I eventually injure myself.

Here are my house dreams for the year twenty thirteen.  If we complete even one or two of these, I will be pleased. 

I like our dining room table but it just doesn’t feel like us anymore.  The table scratches easily.  The bar height is annoying.  I’m over it.  I’m now on the hunt for a set of 6 chairs that I can paint.  I will then purchase 2 fancy grown-up chairs to go with them.  And then Nate will build us a table that seats 8.  We’re thinking a white/grey or white/black two-toned look.  If you are in the QC and spot a set of 6 chairs for awesome price, send me a message yo.

Our office still needs love.  I just can’t get this room right.  The main hurdle is that couch.  We will be purchasing a sectional in 2013.  I also need to work on the curtains situation.  And wall stuff.  No biggie.

Our basement gets little blog time.  For the reason seen above.  We are still rocking the too small Simpsons decor.  I think I read that Homer is totally in this year.  We have been talking about this room a lot.  Nate is going to build a little media center.  There will be wall moldings.  Bright pillows.  A rug?  And probably lots of black and white photos taken by Mr. Nate.  Any other suggestions for this room?

Another rarely seen room is my craft room.  I only wish I could tell that it is this clean now but starting 2013 with lies is bad karma.  This will probably eventually become a child’s room.  But that is a ways away so I decided I am going to make my craft room look pretty.  I spend a decent amount of time in here and I think I can do it for little dinero.   I have some mental plans already.

Do you have big plans for 2013?  What project would you like to see us tackle first? 

Top 10 of 2012

Did you make it to midnight on New Year’s Eve?  I made it to midnight…eastern standard time.  Totally counts, right?

It’s time to jump on the blogging bandwagon and post the top 10 posts of 2012 from Decor and the Dog! 

2012 was actually kind of a slow year for us on the home front.  I think we were a little burnt out on house projects.  I think that shall change in 2012.  Get. Excited.

The posts are listed in order of page views. 

1. Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformation Review

We helped my brother transform his fiesta kitchen into a fresh and airy one.  You can read about the whole transformation here.  Nate also helped little brother add some moldings to the cabinets which you can read about here.  And surprisingly, his kitchen was pretty spotless when we stopped by last week.  Did I mention he’s single? 

2. West Elm Inspired Bedframe Tutorial

Our window headboard was ready to break up with the not so becoming bed skirt.  We gave it a mate with this simple bedframe.  Nate designed and built the bedframe.  I painted it and tested it out with several naps. I like to be useful.

3. Organization Baby Steps

This one surprised me a little. I think Pinterest and link parties may have contributed to its number 3 position.  The pantry is still fairly organized but I haven’t touched the chalk writing since I initially wrote on it.  #bloggerfail  We still love our grocery list on the door though!

4. Burlap Wallpaper How To

 

Who knew cornstarch could be used to stick fabric to a bookshelf?  It does.  The burlap is still held firmly in place almost a year later.  I still love the texture and color the burlap brings to the space.

5. Under Cabinet Lighting

What do you do when you forget to account for under cabinet lighting when designing your kitchen?  You use some battery operated lights purchased at Sam’s.  We accidently left them on one night and had to take them down and replace all of the batteries.  Oops.  We rehung them using Velcro strips for easier battery changes in the future.

6. Kitchen Backsplash: Subway Tile Edition

The backsplash was probably my favorite project of the year.  The backsplash was that little something that our kitchen was missing.  It’s so shiny and perfect.

7. Easy Sew Flannel Infinity Scarf

I need to start Scarf Wearers Anonymous.  Who will join with me?  All of you after reading this post on how easy these things are to make!

8. DIY Console Table

This table also tops the list of my favorite projects of 2012.  The table is such a great fit for our home.  I will always have fond memories of beating the heck out of that wood.

9. Parmesan Crusted Steak

Typing about this steak has me longing for grilling season…and cheesy hashbrowns.

10. Double Shower Curtain

After trying approximately 987 shower curtains, I settled on the use of two window panels hung on a double curtain rod.  I have since stolen that rug and moved it to my kitchen.  Must purchase new rug for awesome double curtains.

Looking back was pretty fun.  2012 wasn’t too shabby but I’m pretty sure 2013 will be super awesome.

What was your favorite post of 2012?

Christmas 2012 Edition

Guess who is back?  This girl.

I’m not going to lie. I enjoyed the amount of free time I had due to a lack of blogging. I enjoyed it so much that I almost decided to just stop.  And then I realized that was crazy.  I am, however, going to switch to mainly Monday, Wednesday, Friday posting.  I still love to blog.  I just remembered how much I also love free time.  Like watching 10 episodes of Downton Abbey loved it. 

Anywho, let’s discuss the holidays.  How was yours?  Fantastic I hope!

We split our time between my family and Nate’s.  We left a little earlier than planned to beat a blizzard that ended up shutting down almost the entire state of Iowa for a day or two. We made it and got to enjoy the aftermath of our first big snowfall of the season.

We tried to sneak if a few walks to help aid in the digestion of the ridiculous amount of food we consumed.  He does know how to walk.  He just loses all brain cells in the snow.  We’re talking about Ike and not Nate.  Just to be clear.

After walking we made and ate more food.  What I wouldn’t give for another bowl of homemade chicken and noodles.

We opened gifts.  We gave my mom a photo of the family because you can’t hate a photo of your family.  (I forgot to post these photos.  Nate took them.  Remind me to post about it.)

Dad got booze.  It’s locally made.  Because we’re hipsters like that.

Hipsters also wear obnoxious shirts.  I’m thinking about wearing it all year. Just to mess with my brother.

Speaking of my brother.  I made him this sign.  It’s our favorite sibling phrase. I’m not sure the parents have caught on to it yet.  It’s probably best.

We said our good-byes and headed back home to spend time with Nate’s family.

Nate refused to share his popcorn ball…a family tradition.  The popcorn ball.  Not the lack of sharing.

We snuggled babies.  Ike sniffed them.

There was a shortage of presents.

Our sister-in-law gets the same gift from us each year…a glass pitcher.  Because we’re jerks..and she keeps breaking them.  Let’s hope this one makes it to 2014. ;)  Looks like our niece is getting bubble wrap next year.  #noted

One can never have too many semis or princess nightgowns.  #fact

After present opening we played with Legos, flew planes and ate a whole stinking lot.

And to all a good night.

How was your holiday?  What was the favorite gift that you gave?  How about the favorite gift you received?