Today is a big day.  I'm participating in the Tour Through Blogland.  (Google it. It's a thing. I swear.)  My buddy, Caitlin, over at Desert Domicile asked me to join in on the fun.  I can never turn down blog fun.

If you're new here, run.  I kid.  It's not all bad.  I have a super cute dog.

The Tour Through Blogland includes a few questions and snooping through my house.  I'll post some of my favorites but you can take the full tour here!  (The full tour includes sources and paint colors!)

Here's the exterior of our house.  We needed a color besides the traditional tan or white.  Blue it was.  I love this color so much.  We've actually had strangers stop by to ask us about the siding we used. 

I was hoping to have some big grand living room update today.  Instead, I have some new horse tail art.  It's new abstract art.  I swear.

Over the weekend, I painted the fireplace area white (while Ike napped and murdered dog toys and pillows).  We have a nice color trifecta going on.  I'm digging it.

Nate went to install the built-in on the right.  It's 1/8" off.  Which is a problem because it won't sit flush on the sub-floor.  We then talked and decided at this point it would probably be smarter to just wait and have the floor installed before installing the built-ins.  With our mind changing track record, this seems like a good plan.  Floor installation is still scheduled for Tuesday!

Nate had treat day last week.  He asked if I would whip him up some of my Grandma's homemade cinnamon rolls.  Can I keep a pan for myself?  If so, yes!!!

I have finally mastered Grandma's rolls.   Okay, I still have some appearance issues to work out but the flavor is spot on.  You know how some things just never taste quite as good as Grandma's. These rolls were one of those things but I think I finally have it.  It only took me like 10 years of trying.  These rolls may take some practice but I have lots of pointers for you that might lessen your learning curve.

Whoa.  Monday.  Too soon.

Nate and I were busy little DIYers again this weekend.  Don't worry.  We also managed to sneak in quite a bit of fun and sleep.  Lots of glorious sleep.

I spent a few hours finishing up this hipster gender neural baby quilt.  A friend asked me back in the beginning of June if she could hire me.  She didn't need the quilt until September.  I'm pretty good at saying "yes" and forgetting that I don't know how to manage my time.  I finished this sucker a couple of weeks early.  Check out those time management skills.

Remember that time I went to the Haven blog conference like a month ago?  I still laugh when I realize that I went and hung out with people from the internet.  It makes me sad for myself and happy all at the same time.

Before I left, I had heard that a good blogger needed to bring business cards. 

Business cards?  For a blog?  What was I getting into?

It's time for a living room update!

Here she is.  Pretty, no?  Ike is just happy his loveseat is back in it's proper location.

We last left off talking about our built-ins and mantel. As you can see, we've made some killer progress.  Actually Nate has been kicking built-in hiney.  They are built and painted.  We are hoping to get them installed this weekend and possibly start on the mantel area. 

Sometimes being an older sister is tough.  You're the first to go through big life events.  You are your parents' guinea pig.  Life is hard.

It gets harder when your little brother wants to celebrate his 30th birthday in the middle of nowhere Missouri.  It gets really hard when he wants you to stay at some sketch motel and risk murder and scabies.

Man.  We're making a lot of decisions around these parts.  That's all we're doing lately but that's cool.

I mentioned last week that our house is suffering from the DIY snowball effect.  The next victim? 

Whoa.  How is it Monday already?  Nate and I were busy bees. 

On Saturday, we hit up the Farmer's Market.  Nate finished building the built-ins.  I did lame housewife chores and started touching up the trim on the first floor.

Yesterday, however, was a very exciting day.  We headed to Des Moines to the Iowa State Fair Grounds (and Zombie Burger.  Mmmm, Zombie Burger.  And the Tile Shop.  Mmm, hearth tile). 

But Michelle, the fair hasn't started yet.  Why would you go without the corn dogs and fried Oreos? Because Nate had two of his photos selected for display at the fair which starts this Thursday!

Who's ready to see a finished picture of our living room built-ins?  Pick me! Pick me!

Too bad our living room currently looks like this.

Straight out of a magazine, my friends.  

I feel like Ike's toy (Bill) adds the pop of color you all keep requesting from me.  OH NO!

The mantel area is two-toned because were A.) too lazy to finish B.) not wanting to waste paint.