We Moved…

The blog was a little quiet last week because we were busy moving…

Busy moving stuff off of our counters so we could reseal them.

(I sure hope I got some of you on that one.  I wasn’t around on April Fool’s Day and that made me sad.  I’m making it up for today. Mwah ha ha.)

The company that installed our granite recommended we seal the countertops every year.  3 1/2 years later we finally got around to it.  We started to notice that the counters were losing their glossiness and water did not pool on top as it previously had. 

Bring on the sealer.

We went with Dupont’s BulletProof Sealer.  We choose this sealer because it was inexpensive and got good reviews on Amazon.  We’re pretty scientific when it comes to choosing products.  (Also pictured is our favorite granite cleaner, Method’s Daily Granite.  The cleaner is easy to use.  Just spray it on the counters and wipe dry.)

The sealer was fairly easy to use.  We cleaned the counters well with a wet rag.  We let the counters dry for an hour.  Nate then applied the sealer with a foam brush.  He let the sealer sit for 15-30 minutes and then wiped the excess with a towel.  There were a few spots that were hazy. He had to rewet with the sealer and then wiped it clear again.  We let the counters fully dry overnight.

In the mean time, our table looked like this.  We had a nice, cozy supper on Saturday night.

On Sunday, we put everything back and enjoyed our shiny counters.  (In between Words With Friends and Draw Something.  We are now both addicted.  Just what we need.)

We would definitely recommend granite countertops.  They are low maintenance.  Our dark granite doesn’t stain.  We haven’t noticed any scratches after 3 1/2 years of use.  Our favorite thing about granite is the ability to set hot pans directly onto the countertop.  It only took me about a year to fully trust this fact but now I’m not even sure where our hot pads are!

What are your favorite type of countertops?  Did you complete any projects this week-end that you’ve been putting off?  Any other Draw Something fans out there?

Guest Bathroom Update

I’m in decorating limbo now.  I want to start a project but the timing isn’t right.  There’s always time for decorating day dreaming though, right?  Right!



I was debating another shower curtain from West Elm. I ultimately decided it wasn’t the right choice.  And then I decided to forget the bathroom for awhile until I could find some inspiration.  Or time enough for Nate to forget how many shower curtains I have purchased and hated.  Oopsie daisy.

I started pondering the bathroom again this week-end.  I haven’t purchased anything just yet because I want to be sure this time.  You know, like REALLY sure.  Like my marriage depends on it sure.

I figured I’d get your opinions as well.  I like opinions.  Usually.  Most of the time.  Sort of.

Here are my thoughts…

Sources: rug (Crate and Barrel), double shower curtain (Hazardous Design), fabric (black chevron, yellow chevron, polka dots)

I would like to do a double curtain like Carrie's.  I think the use of the double curtain will help break up the long room.  (I’ll also take Carrie’s awesome floor too.  But that’s not currently in the plans.)

I like the idea of a runner in place of two bath rugs.  I also like the price of the Olin Rug from Crate and Barrel.  This bathroom isn’t a high traffic bathroom so I have zero concerns about using a runner in here.

I think I am going to make my own shower curtains.  That doesn’t sound like a disaster waiting to happen. Nope. Not. At. All.  I can’t find a shower curtain that I like though.  I do, however, like all of the fabrics above.  I just can’t decide. What are your thoughts?  I should be over chevron.  But I’m not.  It speaks to me.

How high would you hang the shower curtains?  Any ideas on art?

We plan to add some form of molding on the long wall.  We are also going to frame out the mirror.  I’d like to replace the he-giant mirror with two smaller ones but I don’t think I can talk my carpenter into that one.  Darn carpenter.

What are your thoughts?  Do share.

Glorious Day

Guess what today is? 

Besides Tuesday.

It’s the end of tax season!!!!  Woo to the hoo!!

Nate will return to being a functional member of our household.  We can have supper together.  We can take walks together. We can catch up on our super full DVR.  You know, be a married couple. 

The end of tax season also means some changes for our house and blog.  Unfortunately, we’re not quite on the same page on this front….yet.

Happy end of tax season!!!!  Any big plans for those returns?  Or did your accountant let you down and you have to pay in?  (Don’t worry.  Mine did.  I’m on the look out for a new one….)

Sloths

We were serious sloths this week-end.  So lazy.  I’d say it was wonderful but we were all kind of antsy.  I’ve been feeling a little uninspired lately. I’m not sure what project I want to tackle.  Our vacation is also close and I don’t really want to start anything big before then.

I feel that this photo sums up our week-end nicely.

I did manage to update the art in the mudroom.  This mudroom is good for me.  I can change things up inexpensively.  It was previously rocking holiday art with updated chalkboard art.  It now has a few touches of spring.

Lambs and flowers are my favorite things about spring. There was a pasture behind our first house that always had lambs in the spring.  Memories.

I gave our chalkboard a sprucing up also.

Good work small Kindergarten child.

All of that updating was a lot of work.  Back to being a sloth.

What’s your favorite thing about spring?  Any fellow week-end sloths?

White Coat, Cute Dog, Green Shorts

I’d like to tell you that my obsession with Instagram is over.  That, however, would be a lie.  I definitely took more pictures in the past week because of the app.  Now I am going to bore you all with them.  It’s like me showing you my vacation photos but much worse.

Let’s start back at last Friday at 5:00PM.  I said good-bye to my favorite employee…the automated filling machine.

And my work attire.  Hey, look! A giraffe in a white coat.

That night I bought fresh flowers from Target.  Nate buys beer. I buy flowers.  We are equally happy.

On Saturday, Ike and I cleaned the house and lounged around while Nate was at work.  Ike’s a much cuter lounger than I am.

In the afternoon we headed to Le Claire with Nate’s family.  We revisited Antique Archeology.

We also toured a local distillery where we learned how vodka is made.

Saturday night we went bowling.  Here we are after I beat Nate in Round #1.  I don’t remember who won Round #2….

I’m getting tired now and this post is long so I’ll end with Inspector Ike.  He alerts Nate when any new items enter our home.  I need to train him better.

Do you prefer flowers or beer?  Or both.  Whatever.  What does one wear with green shorts?  Bowled lately?  Who wants to give my dog a bath?

Gettin’ Spicy With It

Warning:  Life changing post ahead.

Say “hello” to my messy cupboard.  (Please channel your inner Scarface.)

This cupboard kept making me sad.  I couldn’t find anything.  Stuff would attack me when I opened the doors.  I kept buying things that I didn’t need.  I couldn’t reach my sprinkles. It’s a sad day when you can’t reach your sprinkles.

I decided to take matters into my own hands.  Because, honestly, who else was going to fix this hot mess?  Nate?  Ike?  Yeah, I took matters into my own hands.

I purchased some super fancy bamboo turntables from Wal-Mart.  (Side note:  I went into Wal-Mart for turntables and windshield washer fluid.  I came out with only turntables and windshield washer fluid.  Miracles do happen.) 

The spices are now organized alphabetically.  The extracts are located together.  Most importantly, I can reach my sprinkles.  Can I get a hallelujah?

We still have quite a few bottles of liquids that make the cupboard look a little more cluttered than I would like.  (I should have removed them for the blog photos but I like to keep it real while gettin’ spicy with it.)  The liquids are now organized and I can see what I have.  Note to self:  do not buy Karo syrup.  I keep thinking about starting an emergency preparedness kit.  I sure hope Karo syrup is on the list because I have an amazing head start on that one. 

I may be the most unorganized organized person that I know.

Nate informs me that there is no way he is going to put spices back in alphabetical order.  I think he will come to love the alphabetized spices and he will want to make sure they continue to stay that way.  That’s how it works with husbands, right?

He also wanted to know why I needed to replace the one turntable we owned with a matching bamboo one.  He wanted to know if I didn’t have a blog would I replace it.  I answered yes and yes and I hope you don’t wake up on the wrong side of the universe again tomorrow.  Little things like pretty and organized spice cabinets make life so wonderful. 

Life would be even more wonderful if all of our spices were in little glass jars. Hmmm…

Any life changing organizational tips to share?  Can you make it out of Wal-Mart with only the items on your list? 

Blogging Basics- Static Pages

Do you all remember when I wasn’t a flaky blogger?  Yeah, me neither. 

Back in the day (or 2 months ago) I started this series called “Blogging Basics.”  I covered such topics as to blog or not to blog, making a blog header, finding your niche, and using social media.  Today I’m bringing it back.  Why?  Because I like to be helpful.  (And the only house projects I completed this past week-end were cleaning and folding underwear.  Neither of which are worthy of a blog post.  Or are they.)

Today I would like to discuss static pages.  Let’s make this a group effort.  Feel free to chime in.

Overall, content is the most important part of your blog.  Layout is right up there though.  Everyone and their dog (literally) is writing a blog these days.  Readers need to be able to navigate your blog easily.  You may have completed an amazing room reveal two months ago but as a first time visitor, I am probably not going to take the time to read back through two months of posts.  I read somewhere that readers should be able to find what they are looking for on your blog with two clicks.  Two clicks. 

One way to make your blog easier to navigate is the addition of static pages.

Static pages are pages that don’t change.  Hence the static.  Man, this stuff is rocket science.

If you have a lovely house tour page, I am easily able to view that amazing room reveal that you posted two months ago.  Boo-yah.  I am suckered into your blog and will add you to my Google Reader.

How do you create static pages?  I will show you in Blogger.  Because I no speak the Word Press.

1.  Go to your dashboard.  A private blogger would make a fake blog to show you this stuff.  I, however, am an oversharing/lazy blogger.

Can you tell when Young House Love posted my powder room?  Poor little baby blog didn’t know what hit it.  Focus.

2. From here you have the option to add a new page.  You can also determine the location of your static pages from this screen.  I currently use the “top tabs” option.  I’ve seen both options work well.

3. When you click “New page” at the top of the screen, you will be given two options.  We will choose “Blank Page.”

4.  You will be taken to a screen that looks very similar to your regular posts.  Add your page information and hit “publish”. 

What kind of pages should you add?  Any kind!  I would strongly recommend an “About Me” and “Contact Me” tab.  One of the first pages I like to read of a new blog is the “About Me.”  The “Contact Me” may seem unimportant for a new blogger.  At least that’s what I thought.  Little did I know, people really did want to contact me.

5.  Pat yourself on the back and enjoy those pretty tabs/static pages!

6.  Stop patting yourself on the back.  Keep up on those tabs.  This is where I shamefully tell you all that my tabs need a lot of work.  The shame. 

What are your thoughts on layout?  Static pages?  The two click theory.  What layout features sucker you into a new blog?  What should we discuss next week?

Yui’s Mom

One of my favorite things about blogging is the people that you “meet”.  I honestly did not expect to develop relationships with so many different people.  I thought I would write some stuff, a few people would read it and we’d call it a day.

One blogger that I have enjoyed getting to know is Emily-Claire from eclaireart.  Emily-Claire was recently featured in the recent issue of Artful Blogging.  I won a copy of the issue from her blog.  I had not heard of this magazine before but it is fantastic. It is full of beautiful photography, personal stories, and tips from bloggers.

Emily-Claire has eight whole pages devoted to her love of blogging and photography.  This girl has skills.  Seriously.  She is amazing at styling and then photographing her work. 

via eclaireart

 But more importantly…she has one of the cutest dogs on the planet, Yui.

via eclaireart

 Ike totally wants to fight over dog toys with her.  And borrow her scarf.

Where am I going with this?  I don’t really know.  I inhaled too much pill dust (legally) today.  I just know that you should head on over to eclaireart and say “hello” to Emily-Claire and Yui.  Be sure to check out Yui's First Year and Emily-Claire’s portfolio.  Did I mention that she does pet photography?  Sorry about adding another blog to your reading list…

Who’s jealous of those mad photog skills?  Ike is jealous that Yui is stealing his thunder today but he’ll have to deal…until I knit him a pretty blue scarf. 

***You can find Artful Blogging at Barnes & Noble in the crafts section or order it from the Somerset Studio website here.  I was in no way compensated for this post.  I just like to share awesome things with my awesome readers.***

Before, Progress, Plans

Last week I shared with you my brother’s living room progress.  We also finished painting a few other rooms. Like the kitchen.  The fiesta kitchen.  Who wants burritos?

We had some focus issues while painting.  There were just so many hideous colors to hide.  I started priming the kitchen.  My dad asked me if we should finish a room before beginning another.  I told him this room was making me so violently ill that it could not wait.

I had some trouble with exposure compensation (I need a refresher on our long lost camera lessons) but this is the most accurate representation of the colors.

Oh my. Oh my.  Hurry.  Cover up this awfulness. 

And yes, I do occasionally get more paint on the walls than my clothes. Occasionally.

My brother loves painting ceilings.  That’s why we let him do all of them.  We’re a supportive family.

He chose Comfort Grey for Sherwin Williams for the wall color.  It’s a very interesting color.  It’s sometimes green and sometimes grey.  We both liked it a lot. 

This was the last room that we finished before I called it a week-end and head back home.  It’s obviously not picked up/taped removed but you can see there is definite improvement. 

My family may also be the messiest renovators.  I had a panic attack when I arrived and moved/organized everything into the dining room.  All of the supplies grouped by use.  My family made a lot of fun of me.  Deep down they liked the new system.  I’m sure it’s still in place….

The cabinets obviously need some love.  We are going to be giving them a make-over Memorial Day week-end….because we are the most amazing sister/brother-in-law in the world.  He will repeat this to us during the three day week-end.  And feed us ice cream.

Nate is going to add some moldings to the cabinets.  They will then be painted. Probably white.  I think we have him talked into new hardware as well.  There may also be some countertop painting.  You just never know.

Who wants burritos?  What’s the worst color combo you have seen in a house?  Are you an organized DIY’er or do you have things strung from one room to another?

Happy Easter!

Hope your Easter is as impressive as my nephew's egg dying skills. 

It's 11 seconds.  You will thank me!




Enjoy the day!