Enjoy!
November 13, 2011
Quick Tip [Fall]
Want your house to be aromatic and wrap you up in that fall feeling? Simply grab a pack of mulling spices the next time you're in the grocery store. It can typically be found in the produce section. Pour a little (it goes a long way) of the mix into a small pot of water and simmer on the stove. Incredible!!! Try playing a little light classical in the background as you go about your daily puttering. You will never want to leave your house!
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
October 25, 2011
All Good Things.... [Home Inspection]
Well folks, never underestimate the value of a home inspection. If you use a professional home inspector that knows what he/she is doing, then you'll be grateful for the information you'll glean. We were all set! Our house on the market, a contract on our next house, just waiting for everything to fall into place. Or not.
The "next house" was not perfect, but oh was the lot and the neighborhood. Frankly, the house was fugly, but not beyond beauty with our TLC and big imaginations. However, the home inspection turned up the issue of basement water seepage and an ongoing black mold problem. UGH! Now, mold damage can be repaired and the mold itself cleaned away. What stopped us in our tracks was the dollar signs that starting adding up as we reviewed what steps would have to be taken in an ATTEMPT to stop the seepage.....meaning, lots of money with no guarantee that the problem would be forever solved. Our final decision....it's not worth the risk so we walked away. Bummer.
Since we were selling our house because we wanted to buy "that" house there is no longer a need to sell our house. So, off the market it goes! Now I must cruise Pinterest to see what kind of trouble I can stir up since we're staying. TTFN!
The "next house" was not perfect, but oh was the lot and the neighborhood. Frankly, the house was fugly, but not beyond beauty with our TLC and big imaginations. However, the home inspection turned up the issue of basement water seepage and an ongoing black mold problem. UGH! Now, mold damage can be repaired and the mold itself cleaned away. What stopped us in our tracks was the dollar signs that starting adding up as we reviewed what steps would have to be taken in an ATTEMPT to stop the seepage.....meaning, lots of money with no guarantee that the problem would be forever solved. Our final decision....it's not worth the risk so we walked away. Bummer.
Since we were selling our house because we wanted to buy "that" house there is no longer a need to sell our house. So, off the market it goes! Now I must cruise Pinterest to see what kind of trouble I can stir up since we're staying. TTFN!
October 23, 2011
Open House, Everyone Welcome [Fall]
Thank goodness for the idea of opening your house to anyone who may want to see it in hopes of snagging the perfect buyer. We hosted our first open house today. While the folks that visited may not be ideal buyers {they're really just looking, but not seriously yet} it did give us some satisfaction that YES, there are people looking to buy houses out there.
The bonuses of open house day, the sounds and smells of our house! We simmered a mix of mulling spices, apple slices and cinnamon and had light classical music playing in the background.....if that didn't feel like fall, I don't know what would. One visitor told me as she was leaving, "your home is just so cozy" - maybe we do know what we're doing!
Additionally, the family stayed in the backyard all afternoon just enjoying the fabulous weather. My house has never been cleaner or stayed tidier for such a long period of time since we decided to take on selling it. It is amazing how much more free time I have now that I don't have to spend a good half day or more cleaning and scrubbing on the weekend. Ahhhh......maybe these changes will turn into habits and carry over to the next place. I guess we'll see.
And yes, I think simmering the spices is going to be a regular thing....I mean, why not have your house smell and feel fall cozy all season long?
The bonuses of open house day, the sounds and smells of our house! We simmered a mix of mulling spices, apple slices and cinnamon and had light classical music playing in the background.....if that didn't feel like fall, I don't know what would. One visitor told me as she was leaving, "your home is just so cozy" - maybe we do know what we're doing!
Additionally, the family stayed in the backyard all afternoon just enjoying the fabulous weather. My house has never been cleaner or stayed tidier for such a long period of time since we decided to take on selling it. It is amazing how much more free time I have now that I don't have to spend a good half day or more cleaning and scrubbing on the weekend. Ahhhh......maybe these changes will turn into habits and carry over to the next place. I guess we'll see.
And yes, I think simmering the spices is going to be a regular thing....I mean, why not have your house smell and feel fall cozy all season long?
October 12, 2011
It's Fall Ya'll [Pumpkins & Selling]
Wow! It has been forever since we last posted. It feels like a lifetime. Why so slack you ask? Well, we were sidetracked. In a big way. By a decision to sell our house. YIKES! I'm thinking maybe we're a little nuts. I mean, we have a gorgeous house that we've put 7 years of work into not to mention the money. However, there is another house beckoning for our love....it's actually kind of screaming. So, jump we did!
If you're planning to sell a house and actually do it right, then there is a lot of work required. All those 90% projects come barreling at you all at once and they glare at you from every corner and crevice. It's menacing. Weaker souls would buckle under the pressure. But a DIY'er....we say, "Bring It!". Well, we say that until we're tired and sick of scrubbing, painting, scrutinizing and doing nothing fun at all. We are hopeful that our hard work on the front end will pay off at the back end. Fingers crossed!
I did make time for a quick, fun, crafty project that was totally necessary in the "staging" process. Curb appeal is the first thing to consider when thinking of house hunters. The front of the house has to look good or they are going to keep on driving. My front porch was looking, well, awful. So, I spoofed it up for less than $15 with two pretty orangish mums placed in pots I already had and these cute pumpkins...
780 is our street number, in case you're wondering. I thought it appropriate since I'm trying to make a statement to home buyers (mentally stamp my address on your brain). I just free handed the numbers on a few sheets of scrapbook paper. Of course I had to stick with "imperfection" as you can see from my 7....wasn't thrilled with how that one turned out. Alas, I think overall.....I get an A for effort. I've never done anything like this before. So, I cut out the numbers, then ModPodge'd {yes I just made that an action verb} them to the pumpkins and just for extra safety in the weather Jason painted each entire pumpkin with a sealer, so they are nice and shiny -check that sheen- and weather proof (as it's been raining for four days straight now).
Super simple and my porch looks loved now. I hope to actually get a good picture soon, should the sun come out again.
If you're planning to sell a house and actually do it right, then there is a lot of work required. All those 90% projects come barreling at you all at once and they glare at you from every corner and crevice. It's menacing. Weaker souls would buckle under the pressure. But a DIY'er....we say, "Bring It!". Well, we say that until we're tired and sick of scrubbing, painting, scrutinizing and doing nothing fun at all. We are hopeful that our hard work on the front end will pay off at the back end. Fingers crossed!
I did make time for a quick, fun, crafty project that was totally necessary in the "staging" process. Curb appeal is the first thing to consider when thinking of house hunters. The front of the house has to look good or they are going to keep on driving. My front porch was looking, well, awful. So, I spoofed it up for less than $15 with two pretty orangish mums placed in pots I already had and these cute pumpkins...
780 is our street number, in case you're wondering. I thought it appropriate since I'm trying to make a statement to home buyers (mentally stamp my address on your brain). I just free handed the numbers on a few sheets of scrapbook paper. Of course I had to stick with "imperfection" as you can see from my 7....wasn't thrilled with how that one turned out. Alas, I think overall.....I get an A for effort. I've never done anything like this before. So, I cut out the numbers, then ModPodge'd {yes I just made that an action verb} them to the pumpkins and just for extra safety in the weather Jason painted each entire pumpkin with a sealer, so they are nice and shiny -check that sheen- and weather proof (as it's been raining for four days straight now).
Super simple and my porch looks loved now. I hope to actually get a good picture soon, should the sun come out again.
September 12, 2011
Felt Flower Grapevine Wreath [DIY Craft]
I did it! I actually spotted something that looked like a project I could tackle and here it is...complete! Keep in mind it's my FIRST so go easy on me. I'm pretty darn proud of it. I stumbled upon this idea in blog land and found instructions for an easy "starter" method (I can't find the link to post for you, but if I stumble on it I'll add it). There are step-by-step instructions for these all over the internet and they all vary.
Let me know if you try it!
September 10, 2011
Much Improved! [Blog Pic Tips]
I told Jason that it was imperative that I get a super fancy, way cool, very expensive camera for Christmas. I mean, the future of our little blog depends on the quality of the photo's we post on it. Therefore, I think a camera investment is the least we can do {the fact that I'd have to learn how to properly use said expensive camera to improve the photo quality is a moot point right now}. That is until I stumbled upon this amazing blog that has a post series on how to take awesome blog pics using a.....get this.....point and shoot camera!!! Speaking.My.Language. After all, a point and shoot is what I have. Two of them to be exact.
Many thanks to Donna for sharing her knowledge so that newbies like me can have a chance at stardom without spending the green AND feeling like a complete idiot when it comes time to learn to use that fancy smancy set-up. Check out her tutorial and take better photos. Funky Junk Interiors
I'm going to share my random, and I mean random camera shots putting Donna's tips into practice.
So what do you think? How did we do?
I'm sure there is still practice and improvement to be done, but from now on we'll be taking extra effort with our blog photography so we enhance our projects! :-)
I took this pic of my camera with my other camera.
I did NOT download this from the web!
Many thanks to Donna for sharing her knowledge so that newbies like me can have a chance at stardom without spending the green AND feeling like a complete idiot when it comes time to learn to use that fancy smancy set-up. Check out her tutorial and take better photos. Funky Junk Interiors
I'm going to share my random, and I mean random camera shots putting Donna's tips into practice.
So what do you think? How did we do?
I'm sure there is still practice and improvement to be done, but from now on we'll be taking extra effort with our blog photography so we enhance our projects! :-)
Changing Up Accessories [Spray Paint]
I decorate on the cheap. No kidding. If I'm browsing for decor accessories I will jump for anything under $5, but if it costs more than that....no matter how much I love it....I contemplate a lot and I usually don't buy it. Sometimes I'll go back later, but that's ONLY if I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.
Mostly, I freshen up stale spaces by rearranging what I already have. Here's a few little things I've done this week. {Note: spray painting is hard. No one tells you this, but there is actually a technique to it. I learned the hard way by grabbing a can and opening fire. A few runs later I deferred to Jason for help. Apparently you are not supposed to spray the paint at a centimeter away from the object. Who knew? I'm going to have to practice.}
I changed out my black "Laugh" by spraying it Berry (red) by Valspar. I just realized I don't have a pic and I'm too lazy to stop typing and go take one. You'll just have to close your eyes and picture it. :) I'm also sure you'll spot it in later post pics when I rework a shelf.
This white based topiary was great in the beginning, but the time came for a little color. I used the Mediterranean here too. I haven't done anything with it's twin yet. I'm still thinking about what I want to do (I haven't used them together in a while). Sorry for the blurry pics...I JUST learned how to take great blog photos with a point and shoot - more to come in the next post.
We wrapped the greenery portion in plastic wrap and then painters tape to protect it from the spray. It couldn't be removed from the base so we had to be creative.
If you're feeling a little bored with the decor elements in your house just grab a few cans of good ole' spray paint in a color you like and get your spray on!
Mostly, I freshen up stale spaces by rearranging what I already have. Here's a few little things I've done this week. {Note: spray painting is hard. No one tells you this, but there is actually a technique to it. I learned the hard way by grabbing a can and opening fire. A few runs later I deferred to Jason for help. Apparently you are not supposed to spray the paint at a centimeter away from the object. Who knew? I'm going to have to practice.}
These "words" came from the $2.50 bin at Target (I LOVE that store).
--Before--
--After--
I Heart This Blue {Mediterranean Gloss by Valspar}
This white based topiary was great in the beginning, but the time came for a little color. I used the Mediterranean here too. I haven't done anything with it's twin yet. I'm still thinking about what I want to do (I haven't used them together in a while). Sorry for the blurry pics...I JUST learned how to take great blog photos with a point and shoot - more to come in the next post.
We wrapped the greenery portion in plastic wrap and then painters tape to protect it from the spray. It couldn't be removed from the base so we had to be creative.
If you're feeling a little bored with the decor elements in your house just grab a few cans of good ole' spray paint in a color you like and get your spray on!
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