tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69375481329576248542024-03-05T02:00:58.280-06:00Avery Street Design BlogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.comBlogger216125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-57745765694503021992017-12-09T19:41:00.000-06:002017-12-09T19:41:26.759-06:00Actual Pinterest Search ResultsSo I'm "room mom" for my son's Kindergarten class, and one of our assignments from the PTF is to have the kids decorate a Kleenex box to donate to the food pantry. (I know, at this point you're already thinking Who are you? What has happened to you in the last year?? Just...nevermind.)<br />
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Not having much expertise in the field of decorating Kleenex boxes, I naturally turned to Pinterest.<br />
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Here are ACTUAL results I was just served up on Pinterest when I searched "How to decorate a Kleenex box":<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqElPWcwNMdZy-ipLjInMrIXnSbfpL0o26Vn_qMPyEpl_rgM-zgXXgTdkt90g-ntp8rXcaYfJtIiX9RDqa_7I-ccF1QrF4SV5cNgoW20wQaghn1lJxHX4s3eg12aO6Cr1eTlb4oq-cwQ/s1600/64d8dcd7027ee328e2d1d10f61c1a22c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqElPWcwNMdZy-ipLjInMrIXnSbfpL0o26Vn_qMPyEpl_rgM-zgXXgTdkt90g-ntp8rXcaYfJtIiX9RDqa_7I-ccF1QrF4SV5cNgoW20wQaghn1lJxHX4s3eg12aO6Cr1eTlb4oq-cwQ/s640/64d8dcd7027ee328e2d1d10f61c1a22c.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
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Um...what is happening.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtH1MulJQY6TOMoO_zpr6aG_5LZz483KVOw0hkC-RzXAks6fxuOiO7zgUgXY7mcHEExNCryJ9BH3lTbMpyYjj9IF1kvEewvQJ1wyJDC2rLouVzXH5LsWVyUZPp6Ru7wIrI04QliVC5sU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-12-09+at+6.41.16+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="221" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtH1MulJQY6TOMoO_zpr6aG_5LZz483KVOw0hkC-RzXAks6fxuOiO7zgUgXY7mcHEExNCryJ9BH3lTbMpyYjj9IF1kvEewvQJ1wyJDC2rLouVzXH5LsWVyUZPp6Ru7wIrI04QliVC5sU/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-12-09+at+6.41.16+PM.png" width="416" /></a></div>
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Let me guess...The Eye of Sauron gives it to you?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JdYC_Ao5H05XiIzPnGZ_LH8H6y2w9pHZMuEKs64xutkSrxczrtZKFLNji5XNgMv03VF2PtoZlQiresJEGF0wnvAwx0eeDHWHiqO75600FV9_pjyzbcxJO0KMT8LaCKeO82-1ItRtS3g/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-12-09+at+6.37.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="219" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JdYC_Ao5H05XiIzPnGZ_LH8H6y2w9pHZMuEKs64xutkSrxczrtZKFLNji5XNgMv03VF2PtoZlQiresJEGF0wnvAwx0eeDHWHiqO75600FV9_pjyzbcxJO0KMT8LaCKeO82-1ItRtS3g/s400/Screen+Shot+2017-12-09+at+6.37.19+PM.png" width="385" /></a></div>
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If you really DIY'd that, you win the internet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQFCt28v1E9FU8NL03V_gnA4BK1F9qxXPX841T0ZgqsdqxFDNS8QTrT-ls4lZcrVKdPjspLLNcWHqdTitXVgsB0yKKBgqpKt7F51pQlcRloWPWDd4cYRFiGv7vzniRi5Cqk5eQGNd_Ig/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-12-09+at+6.36.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="227" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQFCt28v1E9FU8NL03V_gnA4BK1F9qxXPX841T0ZgqsdqxFDNS8QTrT-ls4lZcrVKdPjspLLNcWHqdTitXVgsB0yKKBgqpKt7F51pQlcRloWPWDd4cYRFiGv7vzniRi5Cqk5eQGNd_Ig/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-12-09+at+6.36.52+PM.png" width="284" /></a></div>
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Yeah no, I totally heard snowmen are trending in a very specific subculture right now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXES6Jp3THkbLRsw9PqbEKMj9DHCONERbgMQ0GwFbexsvRpOLzaA1aPNy3R1xcj5jZsXcp3GiCIgXofHw52e0uEOxE9JNyEn7Uwh1T0qJqfiEXxAKRMXB8dWanFydLFC9O7ZwjR83Lgc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-12-09+at+6.35.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="216" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXES6Jp3THkbLRsw9PqbEKMj9DHCONERbgMQ0GwFbexsvRpOLzaA1aPNy3R1xcj5jZsXcp3GiCIgXofHw52e0uEOxE9JNyEn7Uwh1T0qJqfiEXxAKRMXB8dWanFydLFC9O7ZwjR83Lgc/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-12-09+at+6.35.19+PM.png" width="284" /></a></div>
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For those of you who already think cats are evil, well, your point may have just been proven. (Also, an accidental click through will reveal that this company is <i>specifically</i> advertising this as a "Toilet Sticker," meaning this image isn't even a parting shot from some disgruntled marketing intern as I originally thought it must be...)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6ZsPr7b_d6ZuedeMabhMlU1Z9L7EJHxj8boqdESW_PqTkavgdT7oh2iIJDrGxqWbr6czBMHxppfBffzVMCxGJkV4FayPIuH1AEOjfjnXKP8aQCUBiUScqwAesP5Q3H52QPJaaMoPyKM/s1600/7f4f5962207a8d4147d0e2a5421d71cb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6ZsPr7b_d6ZuedeMabhMlU1Z9L7EJHxj8boqdESW_PqTkavgdT7oh2iIJDrGxqWbr6czBMHxppfBffzVMCxGJkV4FayPIuH1AEOjfjnXKP8aQCUBiUScqwAesP5Q3H52QPJaaMoPyKM/s640/7f4f5962207a8d4147d0e2a5421d71cb.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
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No no nooooo no no no. I can't unsee this!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBulnFC8IJe_e6_ElO0XwmMn_QR8fN-vMMFwB4nn1fKgW_ip2g-JqR6fH2Jg8X3n9y4QeLeqI6z8hFDSdTQZIs7iJmOTgYBbfBQ8oJCBveIamglJUTit2SUlvVaSWa_2b16EJ7sbxTmOQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-12-09+at+6.39.51+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="242" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBulnFC8IJe_e6_ElO0XwmMn_QR8fN-vMMFwB4nn1fKgW_ip2g-JqR6fH2Jg8X3n9y4QeLeqI6z8hFDSdTQZIs7iJmOTgYBbfBQ8oJCBveIamglJUTit2SUlvVaSWa_2b16EJ7sbxTmOQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-12-09+at+6.39.51+PM.png" width="454" /></a></div>
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The best part is that Wayfair actually *promoted* this.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Y94XH4XxkRxHcKwT247dNY38QOdCPHfc5ffJYRv44_V1J7F0Ef6ZK-L-5gOctUsD8ou2TskhXRHA7-s159LjnP7ilf5yzGU-OKbQ9scr74K8KNx4mHLubEXgJzagLVlavF-1VmUgBgw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-12-09+at+6.40.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="233" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Y94XH4XxkRxHcKwT247dNY38QOdCPHfc5ffJYRv44_V1J7F0Ef6ZK-L-5gOctUsD8ou2TskhXRHA7-s159LjnP7ilf5yzGU-OKbQ9scr74K8KNx4mHLubEXgJzagLVlavF-1VmUgBgw/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-12-09+at+6.40.15+PM.png" width="432" /></a></div>
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I'm pretty sure we already know your answer, sir.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDREzOVLjGLeViZMN3sajO_BMW8MVnjO7E-qsg72n_Hq556MWOjRF_L416PEdrsg3phdra9pxyqVD20tsvakOBdZFpF9Dy6dDl5Uzi0z17INuB3mCu1GeBmyOD4hRAfRe0ZymYK5AO2Rw/s1600/9600196cfa6de0030e748f02651eeda8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="205" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDREzOVLjGLeViZMN3sajO_BMW8MVnjO7E-qsg72n_Hq556MWOjRF_L416PEdrsg3phdra9pxyqVD20tsvakOBdZFpF9Dy6dDl5Uzi0z17INuB3mCu1GeBmyOD4hRAfRe0ZymYK5AO2Rw/s640/9600196cfa6de0030e748f02651eeda8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So what you're saying is, "Anyone who thinks they should decorate a Kleenex box should just go ahead and set it on fire."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7w7JCouO33EoqlzUVdun9PnpS7EPPeQIzRvU5Z_4O-KUaBioJeqJOJuA7wcU4g8U2K3nDbffHUiLZTWGBWjE1ZWy2YVLat_4N8I5A_ZNik1pgZCtDv2ekPgEwiE9voTvPRldsWtCImo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-12-09+at+6.37.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="223" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7w7JCouO33EoqlzUVdun9PnpS7EPPeQIzRvU5Z_4O-KUaBioJeqJOJuA7wcU4g8U2K3nDbffHUiLZTWGBWjE1ZWy2YVLat_4N8I5A_ZNik1pgZCtDv2ekPgEwiE9voTvPRldsWtCImo/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-12-09+at+6.37.42+PM.png" width="296" /></a></div>
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The only problem I see here is a possible sanitation issue with the ears. Otherwise I think it's a great idea.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4GP2n35II_qeYqz_VvW-8eJFK4kmuCbHKHbfYeDQMSx0V9arN7kVZ_82URsOyZSd8oF6wyIsnw-Ve5ZMmYvSf5ea4s65XBpxy2sWd4qdYhml9XNC_fjJZ6xrpBbSzcq1Rtd257sXfZY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-12-09+at+7.20.48+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="248" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4GP2n35II_qeYqz_VvW-8eJFK4kmuCbHKHbfYeDQMSx0V9arN7kVZ_82URsOyZSd8oF6wyIsnw-Ve5ZMmYvSf5ea4s65XBpxy2sWd4qdYhml9XNC_fjJZ6xrpBbSzcq1Rtd257sXfZY/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-12-09+at+7.20.48+PM.png" width="394" /></a></div>
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Are all the documentaries about how to decorate Kleenex boxes?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCsClZ6no3FEmsx1wenkKgLTBFTH3lqbaoZyPGl38yTP8-UP0lvf1v6ICtRuqXAOZ37hl6gghX86ZkkTJQtMRFNioH6btiq-y0NugwuIviaHEJpfDpNc9DTyrGAVd79muEnnpNO2o50s/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-12-09+at+7.19.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="593" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCsClZ6no3FEmsx1wenkKgLTBFTH3lqbaoZyPGl38yTP8-UP0lvf1v6ICtRuqXAOZ37hl6gghX86ZkkTJQtMRFNioH6btiq-y0NugwuIviaHEJpfDpNc9DTyrGAVd79muEnnpNO2o50s/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-12-09+at+7.19.27+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Stag sculpture. Nailed it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKnawPUwbXOJAGQdmELPxAAE3ibbNsbsoaW80Y9y7zk-YHONIdE4JdkOTwb8pUIEQ4ARrhSqRUMCoLumAGOjByunoIT4zvuo7tWbNraDL94P6ZEO8Js3Cq5BFZEBbxM62t_ZjDuMSD3E/s1600/e1b754a392b04d58fa42e1efa94113de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKnawPUwbXOJAGQdmELPxAAE3ibbNsbsoaW80Y9y7zk-YHONIdE4JdkOTwb8pUIEQ4ARrhSqRUMCoLumAGOjByunoIT4zvuo7tWbNraDL94P6ZEO8Js3Cq5BFZEBbxM62t_ZjDuMSD3E/s640/e1b754a392b04d58fa42e1efa94113de.jpg" width="618" /></a></div>
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How did they get the Kleenex on top of that lamp to stand up in such perfect folds?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FMhyphenhyphena5j6hjfPWgdT69igFAbK3hY3Fqc7HngFOplF2hLc8dO3MXyOc3ynDz_6XlxvyuRVaRx38cBU713VK6YDvylZOplfQP0-Md4V3NVNj9C7KIbCpRAi1_I0QMVg5gI8onFSqazg4jI/s1600/cc5901e04b50e7b282f30ae91a53b7d1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="564" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FMhyphenhyphena5j6hjfPWgdT69igFAbK3hY3Fqc7HngFOplF2hLc8dO3MXyOc3ynDz_6XlxvyuRVaRx38cBU713VK6YDvylZOplfQP0-Md4V3NVNj9C7KIbCpRAi1_I0QMVg5gI8onFSqazg4jI/s640/cc5901e04b50e7b282f30ae91a53b7d1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Because we all have that awkward corner in our house that we're not sure how to fill.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXz3aj8AGqbmQsFA0dYQpM8zLfrtM34rF1KTLX2dkd8Jd1KN2v0S9RSt3EML3oOZbTjIJUjysIkFEbNiXyqKzWinXDtkDC_qkXyTZ7wlsLj97XAK45APFpyglBzbKErQYTQUPQyPsdPr0/s1600/e1333cb2117d88ea8a9e7897e3275481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="534" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXz3aj8AGqbmQsFA0dYQpM8zLfrtM34rF1KTLX2dkd8Jd1KN2v0S9RSt3EML3oOZbTjIJUjysIkFEbNiXyqKzWinXDtkDC_qkXyTZ7wlsLj97XAK45APFpyglBzbKErQYTQUPQyPsdPr0/s640/e1333cb2117d88ea8a9e7897e3275481.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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Sire, thou hast decorated the finest Kleenex box in all of the land. We honor thee with this enormous pen.</div>
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So...which one should I go with to impress the PTF? Naked wilderness guy? Yep, totally going with naked wilderness guy. Thank you Pinterest!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-20629905337939083132017-04-27T14:48:00.000-05:002017-04-27T14:48:09.655-05:00Guest Room Styling with Serena & Lily<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYDF7oovgEZHLWQz29OHBm0vmBHkuTq1WGHCrLGY4ijwupS6mJMWEdygo4jBVTV0CZ8DiP2_iTpVbK59PAKLOJ_cW5Gz9Zl8iYQ6kjdesz5eyVSEpMIAZyPBqYSZePFKbuX4Mj0jZq7w/s1600/FullSizeRender+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYDF7oovgEZHLWQz29OHBm0vmBHkuTq1WGHCrLGY4ijwupS6mJMWEdygo4jBVTV0CZ8DiP2_iTpVbK59PAKLOJ_cW5Gz9Zl8iYQ6kjdesz5eyVSEpMIAZyPBqYSZePFKbuX4Mj0jZq7w/s400/FullSizeRender+23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's been busy in such a good way!! I just got back from an unbelievable trip to High Point Market, which is the world's largest to-the-trade furniture/ home decor show. The scope and magnitude are impossible to describe, but let's just say my brain exploded. Multiple times. (See the highlights <a href="http://instagram.com/lauradesignco" target="_blank">here</a>). I am also on Week 4 of 6 with the One Room Challenge over at <a href="http://lauradesignco.com/blog/2017/4/27/one-room-challenge-family-room-remodel-week-4" target="_blank">Laura Design Co.</a>, and as if all that wasn't wonderful enough, my mom came to sneak in a quick visit from California!<br />
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Our guest room has been quite neglected, and I've been wanting to spruce it up for a while now. Mom's visit happened to coincide with <a href="http://serenaandlily.com/" target="_blank">Serena & Lily</a> reaching out to see if they could send me a product to review. (Apparently somehow they were tipped off to the fact that I stalk their website on a near daily basis). One of the options was the <a href="http://www.serenaandlily.com/lanai-mirror/m10478.html" target="_blank">Lanai Mirror</a>- which seriously- I have been eyeing for MONTHS, and maybe even years, so I knew it would be a great fit for the guest room dresser immediately. In case you're curious, I went with the larger of the two sizes.<br />
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If you're not familiar with Serena & Lily, they are one of my top 3 favorite retailers. Their style is classic, preppy and a little bit coastal. Seriously, the last time I saw one of their ads in a magazine, I tore it out and carried it around with me for a week. This is what a nerd I am.<br />
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The mirror was here in no time and was just as gorgeous in real life as it was in their catalog (and my dreams). The fates even converged so that our magnolia tree popped, giving me fresh branches to style with! Ready to see it?<br />
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This room was long ago a nursery, but I painted it this deep navy (Naval by Sherwin Williams, one of <a href="http://lauradesignco.com/blog/2015/7/30/source-book-the-best-navy-paints" target="_blank">our favorite go-to Navy blues</a>), knowing that it would transition seamlessly into a guest room. I have a floral duvet cover (from RH over a decade ago) that I've always loved and am designing the room around. Now that this dresser is styled, of course, it makes me want to finish the room!<br />
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The rest of the room is pretty close...we just need a headboard (<a href="http://www.serenaandlily.com/search?q=headboard" target="_blank">tough choices anyone?</a>), a little more art, and some styling and we'll be there. But a huge thanks goes to Serena & Lily for the lovely mirror and a good start on finally finishing this room!<br />
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<i>This post was sponsored by <a href="http://serenaandlily.com/" target="_blank">Serena & Lily</a>, for which I am very grateful, in the form of product for review. As always, I would only recommend brands on this blog that I would share with my best friends at our weekly playdate. </i><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-54157203170328629212017-04-06T00:30:00.000-05:002017-04-06T00:39:56.909-05:00One Room Challenge!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi friends!<br />
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Winter has come and gone and Spring is trying its hardest to get going here in Chicago. Time is flying! I am popping in here to let you know that today is the official start of the Spring One Room Challenge that Linda, from the blog <a href="http://callingithome.com/" target="_blank">Calling It Home</a>, hosts twice every year, and <a href="http://lauradesignco.com/blog/2017/4/5/one-room-challenge-family-room-remodel-week-1" target="">Laura Design Co.</a> is jumping in!<br />
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You should know that literally every time the ORC rolls around there is a conversation in our house that mainly consists of me begging, pleading, cajoling, scheming, and any other tactic I can think of to get my husband to agree to do it. After two rounds (<a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/05/one-room-challenge-bedroom-reveal.html" target="_blank">bedroom</a> & <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/11/one-room-challenge-exterior-reveal.html" target="_blank">exterior</a>) he knows the blood, sweat, and total insanity these challenges foist upon him, and has no guilt in saying heck no to my pleas.<br />
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So it ain't happening at my house. But it IS happening at "The Other Laura's" house! We at LDC are taking an outdated playroom with gorgeous potential and turning it into the show-stopping family room it was meant to be. I'd love for you to come take a peek at what we have planned...<br />
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<i><a href="http://lauradesignco.com/blog/2017/4/5/one-room-challenge-family-room-remodel-week-1">Casual California Family Room- Laura Design Co. One Room Challenge Week 1</a></i></div>
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You can also follow inspiration & progress as we complete this challenge over the next six weeks, by following our <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/lauradesignco/spring-2017-one-room-challenge-family-room-remodel/" target="_blank">One Room Challenge Pinterest board</a> and our <a href="http://instagram.com/lauradesignco" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. Can't wait to see you over there!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-69168853139163563992016-12-28T23:15:00.001-06:002016-12-28T23:15:51.623-06:00Holiday Table<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!<br />
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I hope you are enjoying the season. If your holidays are anything like mine, your life was like a freight train for all of December, which crashed violently on the 25th, turning your house into a pile of rubble, leading you to hibernate in your pajamas with your phone off ever since.<br />
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The holiday recovery zone may be one of my favorite places of all time. Post 12/25 is truly when all is calm and all is bright. (Unless you count the near-constant sibling bickering of my children, which I am not, because I am totally ignoring it). I haven't left my house or my "eating pants" (pants with an elastic waistband, for those of you who didn't go to college with Dan Novak, who coined the term) in days.<br />
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I've read a book and a half, I've sat and thought, eaten left-over party platter cheese and crackers for lunch, talked on the phone (remember THAT?!), and generally been a totally happy and relaxed hermit.<br />
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The reason this vacation is so needed is because, as I said, December was bonkers. And I mean BONKERS. I find myself wondering how Christmas turned into such a three-ring circus. And how I can avoid that next year. It will take me the next 10 months to figure that out but SOMEHOW something must be done. The only thing I know for sure is that it is completely my fault. [<a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2016/12/how-not-to-flock-christmas-tree.html">Evidence</a>]<br />
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At some point, we'll have to fully unpack my issues, which essentially fall into the category of thinking I can and should do all the things, when in reality I cannot and should not be doing all the things.<br />
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But for now, whatever, Pretty Table!<br />
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One of the things I had really wanted to do but just couldn't get done earlier in the month was participating in <a href="http://www.minted.com/" target="_blank">Minted's</a> #MintedHolidayStyle contest. They asked me, along with a handful of others, if we would like to share a festive tablescape on our blog & Instagram featuring their new <a href="http://www.minted.com/napkin-sets" target="_blank">matched napkin sets</a>. You have to understand, every word of that is like irresistible candy to a blogger. I had to say yes! But time, opportunity, and good lighting rarely converge in the best of months for this type of project, let alone in a jam-packed December.<br />
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So I'm sharing it now! I used the lazy afternoons this week to shop for, stage, set and shoot a tablescape, just. for. fun. This is probably not most people's idea of a good time, but to me, arranging flowers and setting out forks and napkins -- without having to actually cook food or put away the laundry on my love seat -- is luxury of the highest order.<br />
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And bonus, I got to practice my manual shooting skills! Ah, blissful vacation afternoon. And unlike a real party, I don't have to clean up the dirty socks my son threw on the floor, or the stack of broken- down gift boxes next to our table. I just had to crop them out.<br />
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Here's wishing you a relaxed and blissful end to 2016, and much joy in the New Year!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-37456356705244037342016-12-13T11:04:00.001-06:002016-12-13T11:04:51.925-06:00Our Christmas Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is no secret that I am a huge paper nerd, and Christmas cards are the ultimate chance for me to geek out on stationary. For the second year in a row, I chose <a href="http://minted.com/" target="_blank">Minted</a> for our Christmas cards, and I couldn't be happier with how they turned out! You <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2016/12/christmas-cards-with-minted-christmas.html" target="_blank">saw the contenders</a>, and now here is the design & photo we chose:<br />
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I had so much fun in the moment when our kids were all making kissy faces and cracking each other up. We always (kinda) wish we could get that just-perfect picture of all three looking and smiling at the camera, but really this is how I will remember them. Three silly stooges, best friends. So it captures them better than the canned picture ever could.<br />
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Now it's time to actually send them! Thankfully, Minted still has my address book on file, and they offer <a href="http://www.minted.com/custom-printed-envelopes?it_category=n_hol&it_id=c1i8md&device=desktop&feature=tertiary_nav&l1_node_name=holiday&l2_node_name=holiday+cards&l3_node_name=FREE+Recipient+Addressing&event=click&node_type=text&t_api=1" target="_blank">pre-printing of every envelope- for free</a>. This is an amazing time saver, especially in a busy season. And I love that because my hands don't have as much burden to do the addressing, I can take the time to write a little note to each recipient.<br />
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There's still plenty of time to send cards this year, especially with the trend of <a href="http://www.minted.com/new-year-photo-cards?it_category=n_hol&it_id=c1i7hdy&device=desktop&feature=tertiary_nav&l1_node_name=holiday&l2_node_name=holiday+cards&l3_node_name=New+Year+Photo+Cards&event=click&node_type=text&t_api=1" target="_blank">New Year's cards</a> growing stronger all the time. It's one item that you can cross off the Must-Do-Before-December-25th list, to reduce the busyness of the season and extend the fun.<br />
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Merry Christmas & Warm Wishes from the Irions!<br />
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<i style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">This post was sponsored by <a href="http://minted.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Minted</a>, for which I am very grateful. As always, all opinions and reviews are 100% my own, and I only share companies with you that I would share with my best friends at our weekly playdate. </i><br />
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<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 113px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 3942px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 113px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 3942px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-74328145209955491132016-12-09T05:00:00.000-06:002017-12-04T13:45:46.857-06:00How (Not) to Flock a Christmas Tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ah, where to begin. I want to tell you about my day yesterday.<br />
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Should I start with when I got electrocuted?<br />
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Maybe when the Christmas tree fell over in my living room. Twice.<br />
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Or the part where I dropped a cinder block on my foot.<br />
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Or maybe we should start when I accidentally showed an entire preschool my butt.<br />
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UGH.<br />
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Let's rewind to the very beginning of this story, about a year ago, when <a href="http://monikahibbs.com/" target="_blank">this woman</a> slayed me with her unattainable <a href="http://www.jacquelynclark.com/2016/11/22/pink-christmas-home-tour/" target="_blank">fantasy Christmas house</a>.<br />
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I've been obsessed with the idea of replicating every square inch, down to the last snowy pine needle, ever since. I've dreamed of the perfect flocked Christmas tree, blush pink ornaments, ribbons abounding, fresh greens lushly draped over the banister. I've dreamed of it for a whole year.<br />
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It turns out that 365 days is a long time for a dream to brew. Especially one of the variety that's going to cost more than just dollars. These dreams end up getting paid for in sanity, and yesterday my sanity took out a second mortgage.<br />
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The first step to realizing the dream was a flocked Christmas tree.<br />
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For those of you who don't know, "flocking" is the (rather poorly named) process of putting fake snow on your tree to give it that wintery wonderland feeling. Naturally I turned to the blogosphere for guidance, where I was warned of the terrors of the process. Psh. Warning brushed aside like yesterday's flocking. This dream would not die.<br />
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I have a very reliable and lovely faux Christmas tree. But it's not flocked, so it's dead to me now. It was relegated to the playroom, where the kids could decorate it to their heart's content. Still, I knew that some $800 designer flocked tree wasn't going to happen, so I convinced Ryan we could just buy a $32.99 real tree at Costco and flock it ourselves. (Which, yes, Holly, IS legal in Illinois. Eye roll.)<br />
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Three cans of <a href="http://factorydirectcraft.com/catalog/products/1302_2105_1060-5268-santa_artificial_snow_spray.html?ccset=US&zmam=62863317&zmas=1&zmac=1&zmap=5268&gclid=Cj0KEQiApqTCBRC-977Hi9Ov8pkBEiQA5B_ipXvqhuz5vh9h3NDTyTAOvNWLCkLcoeARKq-k_ogs4M4aAkYc8P8HAQ" target="_blank">Sno Blo</a> and a hostage tree tied to my van later, the plan was underway.<br />
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It's been 10 years since Ryan and I have purchased a real tree. The last time we did, a fleet of giant bugs bore out of it and ransacked our living room. No really, I have pictures of Ryan posing for our newlywed Christmas picture holding a can of Raid.<br />
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Since then, real trees haven't really been our "thing." But they're unbeatably gorgeous! The smell! And so perfectly imperfect! I was really excited to redeem the real tree experience, and fully prepared for a little more mess than usual. First step, wrestle it into the house. Pine needles and sap everywhere. No problem. Next step, saw off the bottom so that it can suck up water. Sawdust, pine needles and sap everywhere. OK, we can do this. Next, set it in its stand in the living room and water it. Try to crawl under the tree and pour the water in without gouging your eyes out on a pine branch. Water, sawdust, pine needles and sap everywhere. Wait two days and recover from this experience.<br />
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Finally the fates converge- it's not too cold, too dark, or too windy, and I have a few hours of free time. It's time to flock the tree! It takes two of us to get it back out of the stand and carried through the house (water, pine needles and sap everywhere) and out into the backyard. We set it up in the stand. The wind blows it over.<br />
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We set it back up in the stand. Over the course of two hours I spray three light coats of flocking, getting more excited with each one. It's so pretty!!! All the branches are heavy with realistic looking snow. It's a winter wonderland tree if there ever was one! I'm so excited. I wait impatiently for hours for it to dry. Get sidetracked, finally look out the window- it's face down in the yard. My <i>grass</i> is now perfectly flocked...the tree, not so much anymore. It basically looks like it has a light dusting of baby powder on it. Or it's just a blue spruce. Commence inward crying.<br />
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It's now dark, and freezing cold, so even if I could run to the store to buy more cans of flocking and start over, it would never dry in time or survive the overnight wind. I had to just accept how it looked and bring it inside. Sadly, between squeezing it back through our back door and wrestling it into its stand yet another time, most of the remaining flocking flocked off. So the whole thing was pretty much an exercise in futility.<br />
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There's more. So, after taking another two (maybe four) days to recover from the (not) flocking, I finally got set to decorate. The boys were all out so it was just my daughter and me. We put on the Christmas music, the fireplace was glowing, we were unpacking ornaments and it was completely idyllic...finally! This is how Christmas is supposed to be!<br />
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And then the tree electrocuted me. One of the lights was missing its bulb, but still managed to be completely live. The first time my hand hit it, I thought I had gotten a prick from broken glass. It was a sharp sting but barely noticeable. I made a mental note to repair that bulb. The next time my hand nicked it, I reeled back screaming as a huge jolt surged through my entire body! That was my first experience getting electrocuted, and I have to say, it's not that cool. We proceeded to hang the rest of the ornaments with the tree lights OFF.<br />
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Which is a good thing, because when the tree FELL OVER a few minutes later, water spilled all over the floor and the dangling light cord. So I'm guessing my number had been called for electrocution that day one way or another.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0V8hVCJyvGBI9zczZ3XEWXWBu5YxajbY12iSdaEKQ_WZBO9W3JBXiqBHDZVqtCbVNOgjKDQqrcA8v4fkok7yWiEM9iftHrph9mEQ45sU05ALSoAl466GqFIucPHMBcF5N7ebhqa8sMmo/s1600/IMG_2643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0V8hVCJyvGBI9zczZ3XEWXWBu5YxajbY12iSdaEKQ_WZBO9W3JBXiqBHDZVqtCbVNOgjKDQqrcA8v4fkok7yWiEM9iftHrph9mEQ45sU05ALSoAl466GqFIucPHMBcF5N7ebhqa8sMmo/s640/IMG_2643.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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The collapse was totally my fault. I'm used to decorating a fake tree, which is sturdy and not evil. So, when I put ornaments on only one side of it, it doesn't fall over. Turns out with a real tree that hates you, you can't do that or it will crush you and your entire family. Noted.<br />
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As I struggled to keep the tree upright, I sent my daughter running for twine that I could tie to the tree to anchor it. Anchor to what, I had no plan. She got the twine, I tied it to the top, then I had her hold it up (not my best parenting moment), while I searched for an anchor.<br />
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Cinder block! Naturally! We have them on the porch holding up our planters. In my hysterical rush to save my daughter's burdened, tree-supporting arms, I ran through the house with the cinder block (totally covered in spiders, webs, dirt and all kinds of ick from living in a porch planter all summer), and somehow didn't trip and fall with it. That was the good news. The bad news is, once I had it tied to the tree, almost ready to set it in place and declare victory, the twine snapped in half, so that the cinder block fell on my foot instead, while the tree fell the other way onto my daughter. So if you're keeping score:<br />
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Times electrocuted: Two<br />
Family members hit by falling tree: Two<br />
Feet crushed by cinder block: One<br />
Ornaments shattered in carpet: Roughly one dozen<br />
Carpet saturated with tree water: 3 square feet<br />
New spiders in residence: Innumerable<br />
Expletives uttered in front of minors: ZERO, for which I (and the Holy Spirit) deserve massive credit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi900tVM05zB0IFcPmmJJ8YzmlYSskLTeihnsYi143OVcjYAV9-3uS86n0STAP599_xal8EjRAFXs1xMollyVKTQ1GKR8fLEYpMiC3Djtx79BRYEReZ0x7niDJefJiKOW6DjA7S-L2L1Go/s1600/fullsizeoutput_c48.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi900tVM05zB0IFcPmmJJ8YzmlYSskLTeihnsYi143OVcjYAV9-3uS86n0STAP599_xal8EjRAFXs1xMollyVKTQ1GKR8fLEYpMiC3Djtx79BRYEReZ0x7niDJefJiKOW6DjA7S-L2L1Go/s640/fullsizeoutput_c48.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am proud to say, we recovered. First we sat and stared at the pine needle/ water/ flocking/ broken ornament stew on our carpet and contemplated walking away and getting chocolate ice cream. But instead we told ourselves to Woman Up. Eva and I found some sturdy ribbon, anchored the tree to that cinder block and showed it who was boss. Then we waited for Ryan to come home and rescue us. OK, fine! I admit it! I am not a feminist! He swooped in like a knight in shining armor on a carpet shampooing steed.<br />
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And now, my tree looks like this. It's gorgeous. It's everything I hoped it would be. I even sprinkled some bags of fake snow on it when it was done, and found <a href="http://www.target.com/p/sugar-paper-gold-foil-signature-dot-on-blush-wrapping-30sqft/-/A-51241431?lnk=rec|pdpipadh1|related_prods_vv|pdpipadh1|51241431|3" target="_blank">blush wrapping paper from Sugar Paper</a> so that the gifts (some of them fake) could coordinate with the ornaments just so. You'd never know all the blood, tears, and grossness that were required to make this happen. You'd never know that behind that beautiful facade, a ribbon anchored by a cinder block is the only thing holding it up. And as a blogger with a conscience, I felt it my duty to tell you that sometimes decorating comes easy. And sometimes it nearly kills you. Multiple times.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLhaqPKis0TlAsORE3fh5L2oPMr-Tnwb-ifwj0TWn7ckpheoHvk6h5QoTT5K0krjbyM_Hg9FJJdEjNOIjGMLT8TRS-b5WcuQQtOw8P-7PWaGnu1Suh7YFkhDfq8x4yEcbP1r72u49rto/s1600/fullsizeoutput_c47.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLhaqPKis0TlAsORE3fh5L2oPMr-Tnwb-ifwj0TWn7ckpheoHvk6h5QoTT5K0krjbyM_Hg9FJJdEjNOIjGMLT8TRS-b5WcuQQtOw8P-7PWaGnu1Suh7YFkhDfq8x4yEcbP1r72u49rto/s640/fullsizeoutput_c47.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div>
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What's that? The butt story? Ah yes. Well, that was just some totally unrelated icing on the cake, but fitting considering it was earlier the same day.<br />
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I came home from dropping off my little one at preschool, and Ryan, immediately noticing a GIANT hole in the back of my jeans, said, "Um, Laura, what is that?" With trepidation I turned my rear toward a mirror and yep, about a 6" gaping gash was stretched across my right cheek. Apparently it had split sometime earlier in the day and somehow (how!?!?!?!) I hadn't noticed. And no, my choice of undergarments for the day did NOT *ahem* provide coverage.<br />
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Clearly this was an unheeded warning that I should have gone straight to bed and tried again at life another day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EY2UJi19yezKV9ltt9Gb4J7Dnd0CTquWOvEa86juYutWLj_3TJ7pUQjx8bSxLAgndsT7s8BBv2L-IMOMWxah_O6qkeCzZyvvaW3H1sDSkADU9U2zzyWZt0i0anAafhWcBSJmrhW0ff0/s1600/fullsizeoutput_c00.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EY2UJi19yezKV9ltt9Gb4J7Dnd0CTquWOvEa86juYutWLj_3TJ7pUQjx8bSxLAgndsT7s8BBv2L-IMOMWxah_O6qkeCzZyvvaW3H1sDSkADU9U2zzyWZt0i0anAafhWcBSJmrhW0ff0/s640/fullsizeoutput_c00.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div>
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He feels my shame.<br />
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Merry Season!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-4688759962236029572016-12-08T03:23:00.000-06:002016-12-08T03:23:17.404-06:00Christmas Cards with Minted, & Christmas Pictures!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-zobRupgmP__4Bv6pyo7ULa5xnPH2W6hmdUum-4d-HjsJbfp0n-z30tzh-wVf_eOOXQoovF__VXmN3z-o5SpOUihTOqCO2mVKhcxUjTwYd6ZCbG857-g7LCXWYjFADHw8EkqLXPsHPE/s1600/fullsizeoutput_f38.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-zobRupgmP__4Bv6pyo7ULa5xnPH2W6hmdUum-4d-HjsJbfp0n-z30tzh-wVf_eOOXQoovF__VXmN3z-o5SpOUihTOqCO2mVKhcxUjTwYd6ZCbG857-g7LCXWYjFADHw8EkqLXPsHPE/s400/fullsizeoutput_f38.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Christmas card time has come, and with it, time to get some updated pictures of the kiddos! This year I really meant to set up a shoot with my go-to girl Ellen of <a href="http://redsweaterphotography.com/" target="_blank">Red Sweater Photography</a>, who has <a href="http://www.redsweaterphotography.com/client-blog/avery-street-design" target="_blank">captured us so well in the past</a>. But you know how it is...your schedule gets away from you, the weather doesn't cooperate, kids get sick, no one has a good outfit. It's hard to plan ahead. So I ended up spur-of-the-moment grabbing them and taking them to an old schoolhouse I've always wanted to shoot, and giving it a go myself.<br />
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A few weeks ago, I took a mini photography class through the park district, and I can now finally work the on-button for the DSLR I got last Christmas. Not only that, I can work FOUR of the buttons, meaning I can shoot in manual! Woohoo!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8H4AMQbuQrbxXBc2b2PbERK6LH7J2b_L7G385n2qD4z1jVr4dej5WFZymXpov_nUQ6pW2W7_akGKroumIBNd3a83hGdbOOV5LUondO5ao7LgeTSkm_ffqucwgHmrNjJVaYZc9OiSpYM/s1600/Kids+Xmas+Pic+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8H4AMQbuQrbxXBc2b2PbERK6LH7J2b_L7G385n2qD4z1jVr4dej5WFZymXpov_nUQ6pW2W7_akGKroumIBNd3a83hGdbOOV5LUondO5ao7LgeTSkm_ffqucwgHmrNjJVaYZc9OiSpYM/s640/Kids+Xmas+Pic+.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Now, just because I can work the buttons still doesn't mean I'll ever have kids that hold still, smile while looking at the camera, or stop cracking each other up during photoshoots. But I wouldn't have these goofballs any other way.<br />
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The hard part is narrowing down all these sweet, hilarious pictures to that ONE perfect Christmas card shot.<br />
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And then the even harder part is <a href="http://www.minted.com/holiday-photo-cards?it_category=n_hol&it_id=c1i1hdy&device=desktop&feature=tertiary_nav&l1_node_name=holiday&l2_node_name=holiday+cards&l3_node_name=Holiday+Photo+Cards&event=click&node_type=text&t_api=1" target="_blank">Minted</a>! I am ordering with them again this year for my cards, and this company makes it reeeeeeaaaallly hard to choose. I knew when I started shopping that I definitely wanted <a href="http://www.minted.com/foil-stamped-holiday-cards?it_category=n_seasonal&it_id=c1i4himg&device=desktop&feature=tertiary_nav&l1_node_name=holiday&l2_node_name=holiday%2Bcards&l3_node_name=Foil-Pressed%2BPhoto%2BCards&event=click&node_type=text&t_api=1&finditfast=true" target="_blank">gold foil</a>, but I really didn't expect how hard it would be to narrow down a selection.<br />
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Here are some I considered...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3I8jIyq5qZ82xweVgCqrcrse0LxDLA3ev4SJ28s59YEpXI5DtI65LGbJcbV2Jzh2q3HiYyzpGdjoDyqy8qkAjpNRyl9J8QSjm4_6fdjrCx-scHWYAgVv4cFf8qc4iMZR4Z9ctbhtkE0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-12-08+at+1.27.39+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3I8jIyq5qZ82xweVgCqrcrse0LxDLA3ev4SJ28s59YEpXI5DtI65LGbJcbV2Jzh2q3HiYyzpGdjoDyqy8qkAjpNRyl9J8QSjm4_6fdjrCx-scHWYAgVv4cFf8qc4iMZR4Z9ctbhtkE0/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-12-08+at+1.27.39+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.minted.com/product/foil-pressed-holiday-cards/MIN-ZJP-HFS/wonderfully-merry?ccId=1274985&agI=0&color=A&greeting=christmas&org=photo&feature=Browse&event=sku_click&sku=MIN-ZJP-HFS&pop_rank=2&source=image&t_api=1&shape=default" target="_blank"><i>Wonderfully Merry</i> <i>designed by Wildfield Paper Co.</i></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15sBZW1dnV4vAhmL_7GhyjxaDN0jGWc0H_le2C5S8KNx3go67NLzNVyoJTHPaSOJZ1PcIcoAhtd5vIq-FY5Q1Wcg-xeQmudD4rFMTfouAW_FJN2cFqA7y9VZMYevg7jpTBbxI_f-nH98/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-12-08+at+3.04.44+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15sBZW1dnV4vAhmL_7GhyjxaDN0jGWc0H_le2C5S8KNx3go67NLzNVyoJTHPaSOJZ1PcIcoAhtd5vIq-FY5Q1Wcg-xeQmudD4rFMTfouAW_FJN2cFqA7y9VZMYevg7jpTBbxI_f-nH98/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-12-08+at+3.04.44+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.minted.com/product/foil-pressed-holiday-cards/MIN-ZHA-HFS/the-most-wonderful?po=5&sf=1&greeting=holiday&color=A&shape=default" target="_blank">The Most Wonderful designed by GeekInk Design</a></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rqMVC-XrZBoQtVPHbUkwXYcXUvgy70R92Nc0cABOW2hxTJQtdbXaRKcmASdIymTEqjnM9coUDsbjOKPd_PDB8rwlzct1yBDYFqkUxETQPazTKuFbaHRlb4tBqEr_6Wc-vLqpVo6HV9w/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-12-08+at+1.37.30+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rqMVC-XrZBoQtVPHbUkwXYcXUvgy70R92Nc0cABOW2hxTJQtdbXaRKcmASdIymTEqjnM9coUDsbjOKPd_PDB8rwlzct1yBDYFqkUxETQPazTKuFbaHRlb4tBqEr_6Wc-vLqpVo6HV9w/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-12-08+at+1.37.30+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.minted.com/product/foil-pressed-holiday-cards/MIN-OBJ-HFS/merry-christmas-sparkle-snow?ccId=1281495&agI=0&color=A&greeting=christmas&org=photo&feature=Browse&event=sku_click&sku=MIN-OBJ-HFS&pop_rank=73&source=image&t_api=1&shape=default" target="_blank">Merry Christmas Sparkle Snow designed by Alethea & Ruth</a></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9HlIEleZbetyUJqEWWKbjyfs-Tj_m5lzpWkVCPlI7SSkclPobNyVGk_j8YnTfjRwnjKIns5YhzLeiK9iK_hiPWkDOSdwuO2d3UUMk9zxoxjohuaE1Fedvf_qmyDZIfTb0a87qxZNBaM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-12-08+at+1.34.15+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9HlIEleZbetyUJqEWWKbjyfs-Tj_m5lzpWkVCPlI7SSkclPobNyVGk_j8YnTfjRwnjKIns5YhzLeiK9iK_hiPWkDOSdwuO2d3UUMk9zxoxjohuaE1Fedvf_qmyDZIfTb0a87qxZNBaM/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-12-08+at+1.34.15+AM.png" width="460" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.minted.com/product/foil-pressed-holiday-cards/MIN-TXX-HFS/modern-merry?ccId=1122768&agI=0&color=A&greeting=holiday&org=photo&feature=Browse&event=sku_click&sku=MIN-TXX-HFS&pop_rank=62&source=image&t_api=1&shape=default" target="_blank">Modern Merry designed by Grace Cobb</a></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nQ7itPbvb8rTb5Hru65tYEzeX0ON-1yUn4TsVAJN2b1uBqHOJ8rh-TKbgUQaekw-47SMYjcDamXFVC2OtmQYgUToOoy3oBPmnshlPNQRCgO1K27V4KVo-ebh_AAJMh3TG1YJZ-UamUw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-12-08+at+1.31.49+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nQ7itPbvb8rTb5Hru65tYEzeX0ON-1yUn4TsVAJN2b1uBqHOJ8rh-TKbgUQaekw-47SMYjcDamXFVC2OtmQYgUToOoy3oBPmnshlPNQRCgO1K27V4KVo-ebh_AAJMh3TG1YJZ-UamUw/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-12-08+at+1.31.49+AM.png" width="454" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.minted.com/product/foil-pressed-holiday-cards/MIN-LP0-HFS/merry-scriptmas?ccId=150295&agI=0&color=A&greeting=christmas&org=photo&feature=Browse&event=sku_click&sku=MIN-LP0-HFS&pop_rank=196&source=image&t_api=1&shape=default" target="_blank">Merry Scriptmas designed by Rebecca Turner</a></i></div>
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You may remember from <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/11/shopping-for-christmas-cards-with-minted.html" target="_blank">last year</a>, but one of the best things about shopping with Minted is their genius "find it fast" option. Before you even start scrolling, you can upload your own photo, and all the cards will be displayed with that image. Having your own, and knowing right away if you're going to have that gold foil scrawled across someone's face, is unbelieveably helpful. Plus, you're less likely to be swayed by the card because of the model's wedding dress or the gorgeous baby's chub.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEb2fceZ0hx2L7m2F4eGD7N3ePReNodzsPThX4ZU5p6V7tFxireo06kLRwLlKWJpyKTgu5ErlIO1cFtUshZ1DdURlBj-8WPlxGxWA-Knfrb8v08t4tB9wsXvG2VhVBtKb-krCtXOuM8k/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-12-08+at+2.39.51+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEb2fceZ0hx2L7m2F4eGD7N3ePReNodzsPThX4ZU5p6V7tFxireo06kLRwLlKWJpyKTgu5ErlIO1cFtUshZ1DdURlBj-8WPlxGxWA-Knfrb8v08t4tB9wsXvG2VhVBtKb-krCtXOuM8k/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-12-08+at+2.39.51+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'll tell you a little spoiler that none of these, or even any of the kids' photos here, made the final cut. Not that these aren't perfect...because several of them would be. But sometimes you get to 3 AM and have to just pull the trigger.</div>
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It'll be here soon and I'll post when I have it! I can't wait for you to see!</div>
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In the meantime, because I have an overabundance of pictures that will otherwise be lost in the abyss of an external hard drive, I'm sharing all the kid pics I can. Chalk this post up to one for the grandparents!</div>
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I love how the girl just stands and smiles sweetly and pretends she doesn't notice her brothers going bonkers...while inwardly seething at what total morons they are. Bahahaha.<br />
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In a perfect world I'd have Dyson in the same picture as the kids (and in the same picture with the kids' parents...as long as we're making wish lists) but he's *ahem* totally insane in public places. This was shot during the 1/100th of a second he actually sat still and looked straight at me. Someday!<br />
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Well thanks for indulging pictures of my kids (and dog) - I'm excited to show you how the cards turn out!<br />
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<br /><i>This post was sponsored by <a href="http://minted.com/">Minted</a>, for which I am very grateful. As always, all opinions and reviews are 100% my own, and I only share companies with you that I would share with my best friends at our weekly playdate. </i><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-29732004136780955732016-12-04T22:27:00.001-06:002016-12-04T22:27:33.216-06:00Entry Progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A long time ago, my mom told me that I should write a book. And I clearly remember telling her I couldn't write a book because I didn't have anything to say. It's been kind of like that with this blog. I haven't had much to say (though I did consider boring you with several rambling posts about my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BKlXsYRBaRV/?taken-by=laurairion" target="_blank">foster kittens</a>...which still might happen). Overall, life has been really good. Really full, happy, hectic at times, but mostly status quo. <a href="http://lauradesignco.com/" target="_blank">Laura's and my interior design company</a> has continued to be a dream come true, with steady projects and sweet clients. (The problem of course with a <a href="http://lauradesignco.com/blog" target="_blank">business blog</a> is that there's plenty to say, but no time leftover to say it!)<br />
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Now, all of a sudden, it's December and Christmas is upon us, and I have much to tell you. So unless life goes off the rails, you can expect a few posts this month!</div>
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The first bit of exciting news is that I feel like we're actually making progress on our <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2016/04/entry-remodeling.html">Entry project</a>! We are not nearly finished, of course, but enough construction is done or underway that it's starting to feel different. Like, good different. </div>
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Here's a look back at where we started:</div>
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Yikes, it was even worse than I remember!</div>
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That's how it looked in progress, and here's the current state:</div>
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We have replaced the ugly brown bifold closet doors with a single door, and completely remodeled the interior of the closet. You may remember I had hoped to use a single panel door style, but through a series of unfortunate events (i.e. ordering and returning multiple doors), it became clear that Home Depot couldn't match the detailing of our 5-panel doors in a single panel style. So, we just stuck with the same door used in the rest of the house. </div>
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You may also remember I was in love with unlacquered brass doorknobs from Rejuvenation. But, the rational side of me and the reality of our bank account won out. The style throughout our house is $30 per knob and the Rejuvenation knobs are $180 each. It was really no contest. We still have to install it.</div>
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The new inside of the closet is so wonderfully functional! We have two glorious rows of hooks, 12 in total, as this is our main entry to the house and our main dumping ground for winter coats, backpacks and boots.<br />
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Inside the closet is a small section where hanging coats are tucked away. I love how the coats don't hit you right in the face when you open the door. Plenty of shelves and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EC94FFU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">these cute bins</a> give us tons of storage. Organizing the bins when they first arrived was such a happy day!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmXCZDijD82OOtgtDZV9DoIQs1mgIF2TZvMZlH_00rFOHd1YqzfCZjO2Tb42tU4Ek6uE1EFSJc7OIkuajM3jIZOrbIhLXrZLD8SI6ZTfORf4cavKUhYRAipPS3CVpY3_o0bOvpFxFTZ8/s1600/fullsizeoutput_109.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmXCZDijD82OOtgtDZV9DoIQs1mgIF2TZvMZlH_00rFOHd1YqzfCZjO2Tb42tU4Ek6uE1EFSJc7OIkuajM3jIZOrbIhLXrZLD8SI6ZTfORf4cavKUhYRAipPS3CVpY3_o0bOvpFxFTZ8/s640/fullsizeoutput_109.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And we got a <a href="https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Safavieh-Carolina-Dark-Blue-Rug-4-x-6/12669547/product.html?utm_campaign=Pinterest%20Buy%20Button&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Pinterest&utm_content=pinterest-buy-button-17544fbe6-38b9-4fd9-9c74-f65c948e192c" target="_blank">new rug</a>! The last one was pretty, but it was very thin so it slid around like crazy no matter the rug pad. This one is sturdy and durable for all the heavy traffic.</div>
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I also worked with my mom to have a couple pieces from her house shipped to me from California. My wish list included an antique dresser with drawer space for hats & mittens. It dawned on both of us that my old childhood dresser, an antique passed down from a great aunt, was exactly what I'd been looking for. And my mom generously offered to give me one of my favorite items of hers, an elaborate Ethan Allen mirror, along with the dresser. For $200 I had the two of them shipped, which was less than I would have spent on Craigslist to find something with none of the sentimental value. Not only do I love the mirror, but it's sooo my mom with the gardening motif on top. She used to own a landscape design business. So, mom's stuff for the win!</div>
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I'm excited for the day I can style this surface with something other than tools.<br />
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I've been in the throws of another wallpaper crisis, as I realized the <a href="http://caitlinwilson.com/products/burnside-buffalo-check-in-black-wallpaper?variant=21975767172" target="_blank">Caitlin Wilson buffalo check</a> I had my heart set on would clash badly with my office rug (which is visible from the entry). Having two overly similar bold black and white geometric patterns together would be a huge no-no. So, I tried a long time to find a wallpaper I loved as much. In the end I just can't shake my need for the buffalo check so I bought a new office rug! At the time we did the office, I knew the IKEA rug would only have a trend-life of like 6 months, so it's way past time anyway. The new one is not here yet so fingers crossed it works. I'll show you when I have it!</div>
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The remodel of the staircase is underway. I ripped up the carpet on the lower stairs to reveal--get this-- treads! What luck in a 1991 house! So, that's a huge money savings. Unfortunately, the landing is plywood so I'm stalled at this point until I can research what needs to happen there. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlHeyxlCW4-MAi3JKvmUkN9CIPYhwkKoxZ9bAo4wyMOzrBBqQ7OmrgJnI0A8DDBtc5-GsxKy6eiPvqiFBs7sKpq9AcXexBho4V6ZGSX_WB4Nj38lqRIpXJaG3F4dcOnPw0QQGRpwa8UM/s1600/IMG_2351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlHeyxlCW4-MAi3JKvmUkN9CIPYhwkKoxZ9bAo4wyMOzrBBqQ7OmrgJnI0A8DDBtc5-GsxKy6eiPvqiFBs7sKpq9AcXexBho4V6ZGSX_WB4Nj38lqRIpXJaG3F4dcOnPw0QQGRpwa8UM/s640/IMG_2351.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We'll be replacing the entire railing with a more historic (and beefy) style, staining the treads a bit darker and painting most everything else white.</div>
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And speaking of paint, we need a lot of it. The whole entry and ceiling still needs to be painted. But that's a long way off. </div>
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Still on the to-do list is to complete the trim and baseboards. Here's a close up look at the incomplete trim on the playroom side of this doorway:</div>
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I'm sure by now you're wondering what that giant blue cross is on the ceiling. Well, at some point Ryan mentioned to me that our light fixture was "off-center." How did I not notice this? It's not only off center, it's off everything! He now wishes with all his heart that he'd kept his mouth shut, because he's going to have to move it. The X marks the spot where the new fixture will be located, and it will be centered on both the front door and the closet door. Ah, yes. That will be much better.</div>
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As for fixtures, I've searched high and low for just the right thing. It had to be flush or semi-flush thanks to our short 8' ceilings. Are there any more unstylish lights on the planet than these? The answer is no. After hours of scouring I was able to find several options I actually liked, but almost all of them were $500 and up. Blerg! But, I think I have a solution and it's in the mail...fingers crossed and more on that another day. </div>
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What else can I tell you? I think that rounds it up. Feels like the finish line is in sight but there are still so many little things to do. Not the least of which is tearing out a ceiling to rewire electrical and completely rebuilding a staircase. So you might not hear more on this until next Christmas (oh I hope that's not true...)</div>
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A couple more views before I say goodbye. This is the view of the entry from the other direction, when you're in my kitchen's eating area:</div>
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That's the basement door above. You can see what the doorknobs look like. Here is a look at the same hallway but at the wall opposite the basement door:<br />
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There's my office to the left (where the plant is). The basket holds shoes, and the light switch and doorbell need their covers back. And it all needs paint. So. much. paint. Here is the view of the entry from my office:<br />
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Goodbye rug!</div>
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Ryan and his trusty helper...</div>
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Doorknob under way!<br />
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Whew, I thought this was going to be short and sweet. Guess I had more to say than I even knew! Thanks for reading - I know this is going to sound weird since these conversations are kinda one-sided, but I really feel like we get to catch up when I write them! The last time I posted so many of you wrote to say how good it was to hear from me, and you will never know how encouraging and wonderful that was. I truly love you for reading this, whether we've only met once, or still have yet to meet. THANK YOU for hanging out with me here, however sporadic I may be about writing.</div>
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Talk to you soon!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-38036748585111845952016-07-13T21:56:00.000-05:002016-07-13T21:56:05.831-05:00Death by Legos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, I'm pretty sure I'll be preaching to the choir if you're the mom of a grade-school aged boy (or Heaven help you, more than one grade-school aged boy), but I'm pretty sure that Legos are going to be the end of me fairly soon.<br />
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If I don't bleed out from the gaping foot wounds they inflict at night, I will definitely succumb from mental anguish over the sheer volume of the little beasts! The rate at which they are consuming our available remaining floor space is shocking. They're like block-shaped carpet-locusts.<br />
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When we first remodeled our boys' room in 2013 PB (that's "pre-blog"), I thought that a few wall shelves and a dresser top would be plenty of storage and display space for a Lego collection. Ha. Silly Laura. 2016 laughs at you.<br />
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My breaking point came this weekend. As I stood in the doorway to the room and surveyed the landscape, there was no end in sight. Piles, stacks, battles, bases, lost Chi, dismembered Kai, X-wings with broken wings, Emmett missing his pants. And it's not fair, really, for the boys to have nowhere to put these creations they spend so much time on. Elaborate sets are left to the perils of the carpet, where they are stepped on and crushed, never to be resurrected (see previous note about my foot wounds). The Lego population had to be dealt with.<br />
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These photos only scratch the surface- they were snapped <i>after</i> we cleaned half of them up...<br />
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Shudder. In totally uncharacteristic fashion, I did a quick online search for a bookcase, barely measured, called the store and held it, drove over, didn't see it in person, bought it for a whopping $330 (which I NEVER spend, and especially not on a whim), and wrestled it back in the house all in the span of a couple hours.<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/emerson-bookshelf-with-step.do?sortby=ourPicks" target="_blank">World Market Emerson Shelving</a></i></div>
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Much to Ryan's delight, he got to spend the remainder of his weekend assembling it and rearranging wall shelves (with the ensuing patching & repainting of NINE holes in the wall) to accommodate it. I spent the remainder of my weekend organizing the entire boys' room, cleaning it top to bottom, and sorting my little locust-nemeses with glee.<br />
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I could NOT be more pleased. This bookcase is a monster size, but it looks just right in the room. It has deep, wide shelves, perfect for showing off the Kylo Ren Command Shuttle <i>and </i>keeping it not-decimated. The wood is beautiful, the metal perfectly coordinates with the grey on the beadboard, and it is such a cool design for kids because-- get this-- foot rail and handles! They are actually <i>allowed</i> to climb the furniture to reach the top shelf (thank you, industrial-strength wall anchors). And it's manly enough to make the transition into the teen years.<br />
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For a brief moment I entertained fantasies that the bookcase would be styled just so...<br />
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...buuuut it basically just looks like the mess has migrated.<br />
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Still, I'm declaring victory because at least they're not on the floor. And I took the opportunity to photograph the room for posterity, since I've never done it, and since for this one brief moment it is free and clear of debris!<br />
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Ahhhh. Look at that glorious expanse of carpet. SANITY RESTORED. I WIN LEGOS!!! <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-82650589888004939562016-04-21T11:07:00.000-05:002016-04-25T23:46:41.203-05:00Entry Remodeling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieX4WbFskDn4F6Xg8o0QhtfZp-75XXMmuQ5w-tmYnnLE258UXZ88K_OtdJC6Fz5m4dXKaIvm_aczmxj3DD9ZC4SOuAbxpxBB13YL7UFaRdGekPM2xo7QLfFf9BZuIlSuIs8lzxlIaoBsA/s1600/BrookynBrownstoneBlackandWhiteEntry+-+Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieX4WbFskDn4F6Xg8o0QhtfZp-75XXMmuQ5w-tmYnnLE258UXZ88K_OtdJC6Fz5m4dXKaIvm_aczmxj3DD9ZC4SOuAbxpxBB13YL7UFaRdGekPM2xo7QLfFf9BZuIlSuIs8lzxlIaoBsA/s400/BrookynBrownstoneBlackandWhiteEntry+-+Edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hi!!<br />
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Dude, it has been forever. I've missed you. I've missed blogging. It's so fun, but there is noooo time for it anymore. (I actually don't think there ever was, but I've decided sleep is a necessary thing if I'm going to live long enough to raise these kids through college...)<br />
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Anyway! We have been chugging along on some house projects...and if nothing else, I NEED to keep this blog as a record of the changes we make to this dated '91 fixer-upper we call home. We are currently in full-on assault mode trying to conquer the plastic brown baseboards and doors throughout this place.<br />
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My current focus is our entry.<br />
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This was its sad state last fall, before the <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/11/one-room-challenge-exterior-reveal.html" target="_blank">One Room Challenge</a> (and a generous gift from Ryan's parents) gave us the kick we needed to replace these front doors:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVg4IqwPv7swGXonbiHsuf4G21TkLkvrjsO1W4xo7cKomPjrtMU14EICrdK5HnjVTo7RChQ45LfpZ4gmdqEGc445lu-vBXZDWuhDlHwW2W8n_X7mIwIMqqJndV2EJuSOHlVpjl6OA4vM/s1600/1673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVg4IqwPv7swGXonbiHsuf4G21TkLkvrjsO1W4xo7cKomPjrtMU14EICrdK5HnjVTo7RChQ45LfpZ4gmdqEGc445lu-vBXZDWuhDlHwW2W8n_X7mIwIMqqJndV2EJuSOHlVpjl6OA4vM/s640/1673.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fVn2QXn0ijfdcuH3Q4QCoqPtGyH7mY_cVMLzX8oAuDPj3kKMhrRWhGtxXkehP8FmOcfZiwfjesYLaVdZKPu3KwfjLd5I0DHN41_ZRULUvSkfEVspFEjBXlOzmAf4g-Ylv2U8HncLEYU/s1600/OLD+CLOSET+%25281%2529+-+Edited.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fVn2QXn0ijfdcuH3Q4QCoqPtGyH7mY_cVMLzX8oAuDPj3kKMhrRWhGtxXkehP8FmOcfZiwfjesYLaVdZKPu3KwfjLd5I0DHN41_ZRULUvSkfEVspFEjBXlOzmAf4g-Ylv2U8HncLEYU/s640/OLD+CLOSET+%25281%2529+-+Edited.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Since that update, the first room of our home that greets you is looking 100% better. But you know how it is...you change one thing and then it makes the things around it look even worse. So, we are now working on updating the architecture in the rest of the entry to match the prettiness of the front doors.<br />
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In addition to upping the pretty in this space, we need to upgrade the efficiency. Since we <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2014/11/panic-room.html">don't yet have a mudroom</a> (still holding out hope for someday), our front entry needs to bear the sole burden of organizing five people's winter gear. This means we need a hardworking storage piece (like a dresser), and to re-work the tiny closet so that it actually has room to hold stuff, and doesn't just end up with piles dumped on the floor. A bonus of this necessary re-working is the opportunity to change from a bi-fold to a single door style on the closet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClqGwWyf7EeY0nUdDU8j-AFNr63jIp_Sb7R4Rxrv4LHmGHSOO1s-yUv6xWBBG1qytTPSKu5qSVPl6odfmOYXEb_wUp1liXAu3WvdrVUnEB2agW3aLvntpJ4qFE7u0lSVXBNdMYNchyug/s1600/OLD+CLOSET.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClqGwWyf7EeY0nUdDU8j-AFNr63jIp_Sb7R4Rxrv4LHmGHSOO1s-yUv6xWBBG1qytTPSKu5qSVPl6odfmOYXEb_wUp1liXAu3WvdrVUnEB2agW3aLvntpJ4qFE7u0lSVXBNdMYNchyug/s640/OLD+CLOSET.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tangent. It's easy to get caught up in trends and it's especially easy for me to be all over the board, style-wise. I therefore decided that to stay consistent, architecturally speaking, we are going to stick to the style of my late grandma Kate's house. (The house was on Avery Street, whereby this blog came to its name, in case you ever wondered)! Her home was built in 1910, and though I wish that I had more pictures, I do have records of the staircase railing, mantles, doors, doorknobs and baseboards. And we are using that general style of architecture to determine the updates we make here in our house. All that to say, houses built in 1910 did NOT have bi-fold doors on the closets.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNknrFL0QH5CceQrobnVsMoNnz1k8sBSe0JTrTSIzitXsFTPCDFBNaHEI4MbUHf3LoUyHYKanSR8FVli6EKptRY5bHkGP4-Y_pu494tJcmLJ9ZetTT_Mxqu02U-nwV3LzPZbgdHMN1rdY/s1600/IMG_6409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNknrFL0QH5CceQrobnVsMoNnz1k8sBSe0JTrTSIzitXsFTPCDFBNaHEI4MbUHf3LoUyHYKanSR8FVli6EKptRY5bHkGP4-Y_pu494tJcmLJ9ZetTT_Mxqu02U-nwV3LzPZbgdHMN1rdY/s640/IMG_6409.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>Kate's Entry</i></div>
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Kate's house is the perfect inspiration. She had boss architecture, a mix of mid-century and antique furniture, and patterned wallpaper all over the place. (She also had a blue room that would make Dorothy Draper proud, and it's my goal in life to replicate it, but that's a post for another day).<br />
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Alright, so, back to our entry. With Kate's architecture in mind as inspiration, and a goal of making it pretty and functional, here is my wish list:<br />
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- New closet door<br />
- Update all trim and baseboards<br />
- Closet interior reorganization<br />
- Dresser with mirror<br />
- Wallpaper somehow!<br />
- Rip up staircase carpet & refinish stair and railing<br />
- New light fixture<br />
- PAINT.<br />
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Here is a tour of the entry in its current state (shudder):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ctp-ZOd4SPnr-ogUVM09Tni6_fXMv-poIIAv83vZeCcjUERLbT7Wy1JEZrbhbQC-hHpB1lSMpY-MQXTZ1cd_wYA_YmO3TSq4cp5yKLlRqXwfCLSHioZzLRjAgX17xGRXtJkkePtnpIs/s1600/DysonInEntry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ctp-ZOd4SPnr-ogUVM09Tni6_fXMv-poIIAv83vZeCcjUERLbT7Wy1JEZrbhbQC-hHpB1lSMpY-MQXTZ1cd_wYA_YmO3TSq4cp5yKLlRqXwfCLSHioZzLRjAgX17xGRXtJkkePtnpIs/s640/DysonInEntry.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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Greeting you is a sad and dingy staircase. Luckily, you won't notice it because the dog (looking uncharacteristically calm and angelic in this photo) has just hysterically tackled you with excitement upon your arrival. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GFjWt4cpJHViPb6kyA84v7xwdPwdUMTdS0k4MA1n5WBOoY4oDslKN7BOHCeMSM5AgaG7WO0XTc4C6ezPD3ikxWjq3ns-b1wUhcmm16zjSfz-9osY1kDyzLOfP9h-SmViqDbxW_hm9IM/s1600/IMG_6610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GFjWt4cpJHViPb6kyA84v7xwdPwdUMTdS0k4MA1n5WBOoY4oDslKN7BOHCeMSM5AgaG7WO0XTc4C6ezPD3ikxWjq3ns-b1wUhcmm16zjSfz-9osY1kDyzLOfP9h-SmViqDbxW_hm9IM/s640/IMG_6610.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Next to the staircase, against the only wall space in the entry, is a P.O.J. (that's polite for P.O.S.) wardrobe I bought on Craigslist for my daughter's Narnia birthday party last fall. We cut the back out of it and painted it so the kids could all climb through to enter Narnia. Awesome as a birthday party prop; Not so awesome as an enormous waste of space in the entry of our house. It'll either be relegated to the curb or the garage when I can find a dresser that is a better scale for this wall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-I9SCHDnXTmeArj6SvRoDsj7bOtDemAGA4XjmACpIGUvuC-mFrV8DS1YJHJGXo_1HECN6E_29CkRyqY8RnNECO17VDS_BpywCNivc8h4AyXbPA_pEizv87FaoihHg9pUjWoxePrt1t94/s1600/IMG_6611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-I9SCHDnXTmeArj6SvRoDsj7bOtDemAGA4XjmACpIGUvuC-mFrV8DS1YJHJGXo_1HECN6E_29CkRyqY8RnNECO17VDS_BpywCNivc8h4AyXbPA_pEizv87FaoihHg9pUjWoxePrt1t94/s640/IMG_6611.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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As you can spy along the staircase, our wall art needs some updating. ;) I am happy to report though that the baseboards are coming along nicely. It used to be a skinny ugly brown plastic-ish trim, so the new white beefy boards look amazing in comparison. They still need to be caulked and painted.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xoI4YTtpNN4LRhVjMraDqwQg_RtFGmVN5ref65Jr9OHK1qih54sVFLz89Zp0E2x8b-r3i8f2e0qXLzB_jDT5AspmEMwd7EGlDIbW1higi8YmqYOrchJIvGlkeYKvPGlW1y3jEIzi7TM/s1600/IMG_6560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xoI4YTtpNN4LRhVjMraDqwQg_RtFGmVN5ref65Jr9OHK1qih54sVFLz89Zp0E2x8b-r3i8f2e0qXLzB_jDT5AspmEMwd7EGlDIbW1higi8YmqYOrchJIvGlkeYKvPGlW1y3jEIzi7TM/s640/IMG_6560.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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If you step through our front door and look left, the entry opens to our playroom. Ryan is in the process of trimming out the door with <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/08/diy-summer-school-updating-doorway-trim.html">this simple door trim style</a>, and still needs to add the little crown molding at the top. The trim also needs caulk and paint.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvWCqx86uVaS04w_Qn6rbzboaccMqOaoZGWj-ad3QrcBEjjZ_QLgYlj1XyLh8zu04jmsLKnHkbkrFUVc_k9zopcbxO4FjOAcnXx_iS0Bpq5VySK9L4zPosh-E7o3V9l72dmHJMS0GCuw/s1600/IMG_6562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvWCqx86uVaS04w_Qn6rbzboaccMqOaoZGWj-ad3QrcBEjjZ_QLgYlj1XyLh8zu04jmsLKnHkbkrFUVc_k9zopcbxO4FjOAcnXx_iS0Bpq5VySK9L4zPosh-E7o3V9l72dmHJMS0GCuw/s640/IMG_6562.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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To the right after you walk in the front door is the closet we are remodeling, and then past that is <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2014/07/office-update.html">my office</a>. If you were to walk straight back instead of going into the office, you'd go to our dining area and kitchen. </div>
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This is a view looking back at the entry while sitting at our dining table:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQq5M-ETYjQenCHJcGf72TaBEeOYqNjE7jiQ3BqdZhvTg6xPbzjQsjQUJrcMwhq88Y4i9rwN2he2py2aNKMvZVDvYz7PZAX3KPl_qemaswhTKh8MCXxmqiDnnQJvvAozcR-20F6obemzM/s1600/IMG_6607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQq5M-ETYjQenCHJcGf72TaBEeOYqNjE7jiQ3BqdZhvTg6xPbzjQsjQUJrcMwhq88Y4i9rwN2he2py2aNKMvZVDvYz7PZAX3KPl_qemaswhTKh8MCXxmqiDnnQJvvAozcR-20F6obemzM/s640/IMG_6607.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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That door, which goes to our basement, was very recently a slab textured brown wood (hideous) with a gold lever doorknob. Since this is the spot I drink coffee every morning, this lovely new door has literally changed my outlook on life. It makes me so happy every day! It too is still in need of the crown on the trim, and caulk, and paint. </div>
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You also get a good view here of the light fixture. In a weird way, I like it. But it's way too small and our movers smacked it with a couch when we arrived here, a blow from which it never fully recovered.<br />
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Alright, so that's where we are at. Oh, and I didn't even give you a proper close-up of the massive holes in the staircase drywall, left over from the Baby Gate Era. It's bad. So add a lot of patching to the wish list.<br />
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On to the dream! Here's a look at a few pictures inspiring the design:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8NuL3fQ-OWg3dK96Z_9NM8nU5uKUB3XChN3kas7P6feZoPGEIFF-uRRYbbtva2FBE8z95V-p6fzlExbCWC0vLdIuENteWP87k9Q83UBEMFnKUQkcJNnAhrVI-nmUVr_YGR9YnYuhQa8/s1600/NavyStaircase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8NuL3fQ-OWg3dK96Z_9NM8nU5uKUB3XChN3kas7P6feZoPGEIFF-uRRYbbtva2FBE8z95V-p6fzlExbCWC0vLdIuENteWP87k9Q83UBEMFnKUQkcJNnAhrVI-nmUVr_YGR9YnYuhQa8/s640/NavyStaircase.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>Source: <a href="http://www.planete-deco.fr/2015/05/29/une-maison-grise-en-ville/" target="_blank">Planete Deco</a></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDGl2PgOcOPtEYMSIQzNSV2pSvvPI6yfJ2w8rS5XUxr4FJcLFSZBtL7fzMoSianZ298-nmQRm3d7qdw23nc0jAgtXHapGZdMcrpOwsSN8KHvWNblU2iy2Y29fDUrryIcnSdlAtU7C_Ys/s1600/SMFarmhouseBreakfastNook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDGl2PgOcOPtEYMSIQzNSV2pSvvPI6yfJ2w8rS5XUxr4FJcLFSZBtL7fzMoSianZ298-nmQRm3d7qdw23nc0jAgtXHapGZdMcrpOwsSN8KHvWNblU2iy2Y29fDUrryIcnSdlAtU7C_Ys/s640/SMFarmhouseBreakfastNook.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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<i>Source: <a href="http://www.studio-mcgee.com/studioblog/2015/3/11/farmhouse-kitchen-nook" target="_blank">Studio McGee</a></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbRlI-DqCXZHRLTSXnooHe56O8SmRLxbDmKzaXm5GkH6mVxTdOTRtPFqydzewiYVDb2NnFhuxA4dpLZ-VELd9s8xjphePcrnEQrUXdVGJWvpTKXdDpZ_UU45QEajiDEuMOVb-bFJbRMc/s1600/brownstoneEntry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbRlI-DqCXZHRLTSXnooHe56O8SmRLxbDmKzaXm5GkH6mVxTdOTRtPFqydzewiYVDb2NnFhuxA4dpLZ-VELd9s8xjphePcrnEQrUXdVGJWvpTKXdDpZ_UU45QEajiDEuMOVb-bFJbRMc/s640/brownstoneEntry.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<i>Source: <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/room-ideas/g2729/displaying-art-guide/" target="_blank">Elle Decor</a></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4j_FPn6T2EKD9ypE5pfm6C-vY7w0eWvmPsbLWx4RUfyTb5CzbiK_smEacsf2d_dErno3IBjJmLOf1k639rzXY2twxeXK-rGg9tJyfoiqr3-57JdqK-KyE7t8X25w8rjQolqIneXbO10/s1600/BrookynBrownstoneBlackandWhiteEntry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4j_FPn6T2EKD9ypE5pfm6C-vY7w0eWvmPsbLWx4RUfyTb5CzbiK_smEacsf2d_dErno3IBjJmLOf1k639rzXY2twxeXK-rGg9tJyfoiqr3-57JdqK-KyE7t8X25w8rjQolqIneXbO10/s640/BrookynBrownstoneBlackandWhiteEntry.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
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<i>Source: <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2015/07/a-uniquely-renovated-1886-brownstone-nestled-in-clinton-hill-brooklyn.html" target="_blank">Design*Sponge</a></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiJOEI66i4BcZ2MNS2C0IZEMblbGKD-0EpI9KzabdfN3lKq-TJBvYyjkX6TeUhIm8BtQNgGz6t4fTTjbsCU78R_bP-Puw3xRGGsEn9KWZRN7EN7mb9Sn-2jmvShsxzH6_55QyWHDpSwU/s1600/PreppyEntryDresserStyling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiJOEI66i4BcZ2MNS2C0IZEMblbGKD-0EpI9KzabdfN3lKq-TJBvYyjkX6TeUhIm8BtQNgGz6t4fTTjbsCU78R_bP-Puw3xRGGsEn9KWZRN7EN7mb9Sn-2jmvShsxzH6_55QyWHDpSwU/s640/PreppyEntryDresserStyling.jpg" width="418" /></a></div>
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<i>Source: <a href="http://www.jbarroninteriors.com/piping-rock" target="_blank">Jennifer Barron Interiors</a></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMOSa5QQMYdho4aM88RAoweTqBoUZKdBkjtlumajR5EdkmuotGRnDQJ4oSGCZVQjyLleVJBra1eM1asCgrd24cL4rAAE-5OttcBoy2SoIT6QfPCVeglr0DphSzX5cXdc7ZmAWqoxKHo4/s1600/NavyWallsandDoorsinEntry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMOSa5QQMYdho4aM88RAoweTqBoUZKdBkjtlumajR5EdkmuotGRnDQJ4oSGCZVQjyLleVJBra1eM1asCgrd24cL4rAAE-5OttcBoy2SoIT6QfPCVeglr0DphSzX5cXdc7ZmAWqoxKHo4/s640/NavyWallsandDoorsinEntry.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
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<i>Source: <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2015/06/a-relaxed-bungalow-in-portland-oregon.html" target="_blank">Design*Sponge</a></i></div>
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I realize there's quite a variance of styles among those pictures. But once you pinpoint some common elements, and extract a favorite or two from each, it's not hard to create a mix that works. </div>
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My entry moodboard so far:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfSgSziS9yfLVkXzCpiqilwSGT50WWcPrNp2_16iJm49qv9-dtAv8Ov58wAMSNKA4Gt4XRfwtxCnduPTpgt7WPELI55Xpm0jNip9r13KTBSqCTTMhONtTJJB77zkSM2O3-PDXiwB49ao/s1600/SCHOOLHOUSE+STYLE+%25287%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfSgSziS9yfLVkXzCpiqilwSGT50WWcPrNp2_16iJm49qv9-dtAv8Ov58wAMSNKA4Gt4XRfwtxCnduPTpgt7WPELI55Xpm0jNip9r13KTBSqCTTMhONtTJJB77zkSM2O3-PDXiwB49ao/s1600/SCHOOLHOUSE+STYLE+%25287%2529.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ballarddesigns.com/beaudry-mirror/381645" target="_blank">Mirror</a> | <a href="https://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod2701270&categoryId=cat1536015" target="_blank"> Dresser</a> | <a href="http://www.visualcomfortlightinglights.com/product/visual-comfort-e-f-chapman-darlana-foyer-lighting-chc2175gi.html?utm_" target="_blank">Lantern</a> | <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/beachcomber-extra-large-round-basket/?pkey=e|beachcomber+basket|107|best|0|1|48||4&cm_src=Quickbuy&sku=7379522&qty=1" target="_blank">Basket</a> | <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/charcoal+herringbone+woven+jute+area+rug.do" target="_blank">Rug</a> | <a href="http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/collections/adams-exterior-tubelatch-door-set-with-old-town-knob" target="_blank">Crystal Knob</a> | <a href="http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/putman-interior" target="_blank">Brass Knob</a> | <a href="http://www.overstock.com/Worldstock-Fair-Trade/Porcelain-24-inch-Blue-and-White-Floral-Umbrella-Stand-China/5693335/product.html" target="_blank">Umbrella Stand</a> | <a href="http://caitlinwilson.com/products/burnside-buffalo-check-in-black-wallpaper?variant=1408100164" target="_blank">Wallpaper</a> | <a href="https://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1160270&categoryId=cat3850010" target="_blank">Hook</a> | <a href="http://www.studio-mcgee.com/studioblog/2015/3/11/farmhouse-kitchen-nook" target="_blank">Flowers</a></div>
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It's equal parts <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/lauradesignco/style-profile-brooklyn-brownstone/" target="_blank">Brooklyn Brownstone</a> and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/lauradesignco/style-profile-modern-farmhouse/" target="_blank">Modern Farmhouse</a>, while being grounded in the pre-war style of architecture from Kate's house. We have some preppy elements (like blue and white Chinoiserie jars), antique touches (mirror and dresser), and there's even a nod to Kate's mid-century style with that graphic check wallpaper (not sure I can actually commit to it, but I love it). </div>
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I agonized over the doorknob decision for the closet and the basement door. I am using the 5-panel door style throughout the house, but because I am easily bored, I really wanted the closet door to be a different style. I also didn't want the exact same doorknobs as the front door- so those could really shine- and the design ADD in me was rearing up and rebelling against using the same knobs we are doing in the upstairs half of the house. AND, all those inspiration pictures have me drooling over unlacquered brass. But how do you do three different door styles in one entry, two different paint treatments (because you know I'd love a dark closet door), and two or more different doorknob styles?! Most people would not even attempt this, and would keep things matching to keep it safe. Aaaand that's why my husband will probably get ulcers. I'm definitely opposed to playing it safe. I'd rather play it whatever way makes me jump up and down when the UPS box arrives.</div>
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Again, as a starting point, I scoured my photos of Kate's house to find her doorknob style.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UMf-KbaplzwHGkf8dRl2jY41cY7pNGlUQEhAkGA8lxCS8HcA-V0NFE7-DKHJnHjG7z9T4bIE4DDnzED0-UxAhI5KH2FSRM1TYRu24bpGK-uITmSpVICRc1Dt5rR8SdVvp6ls4L0RdQM/s1600/OLD+CLOSET+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UMf-KbaplzwHGkf8dRl2jY41cY7pNGlUQEhAkGA8lxCS8HcA-V0NFE7-DKHJnHjG7z9T4bIE4DDnzED0-UxAhI5KH2FSRM1TYRu24bpGK-uITmSpVICRc1Dt5rR8SdVvp6ls4L0RdQM/s640/OLD+CLOSET+%25282%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Elongated back plate, simple knob, and though it's aged for sure, I'd be willing to bet those were brass to begin with. Unlacquered brass for the win! Her style is a bit too ornate for our modern construction house though, so I found a <a href="http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/putman-interior" target="_blank">simpler version from Rejuvenation</a>. I think they sit beautifully with the existing front door and upstairs knobs, look great with dark or white paint, and go well with every door style in the running:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkv33or4QcaMPiuKpIJ08OWqyvmJmjqAHoa08viGTiPgJrP9V6CDBBsqp50UP1Xe_K0i9NkhPDXvQcXFv0zDNKnC04jX1bljaD1aHt9nyiq_kdLGKGz2sV5MiHGjbt8d3hJZ3q0V7JmHs/s1600/Copy+of+SCHOOLHOUSE+STYLE+%252814%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkv33or4QcaMPiuKpIJ08OWqyvmJmjqAHoa08viGTiPgJrP9V6CDBBsqp50UP1Xe_K0i9NkhPDXvQcXFv0zDNKnC04jX1bljaD1aHt9nyiq_kdLGKGz2sV5MiHGjbt8d3hJZ3q0V7JmHs/s1600/Copy+of+SCHOOLHOUSE+STYLE+%252814%2529.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Feather-River-Doors-74-in-x-81-625-in-Mission-Pointe-Zinc-1-2-Lite-Unfinished-Smooth-Fiberglass-Double-Prehung-Front-Door-882190-400/203126030?cm_mmc=shopping-_-googleads-_-pla-_-203126030&ci_sku=203126030&ci_gpa=pla&ci_src=17588969&gclid=Cj0KEQjw0dy4BRCuuL_e5MeqmNABEiQAq8iNI8pfv9Sfs7xFIBRVHo-o79kUa1_GW9f4vOFxKMUyqLUaAlwX8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">Entry Door</a> | <a href="http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/collections/adams-exterior-tubelatch-door-set-with-old-town-knob" target="_blank">Crystal Knob</a> | <a href="http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/mysterious" target="_blank">Navy Paint</a> | <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Masonite-30-in-x-80-in-Lincoln-Park-Primed-1-Panel-Hollow-Core-Composite-Single-Prehung-Interior-Door-82932/206580172" target="_blank">One-Panel Door</a> | <a href="http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/putman-interior" target="_blank">Brass Knob</a> | </div>
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<a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/JELD-WEN-30-in-x-80-in-Molded-Rockport-Primed-White-5-Panel-Smooth-Hollow-Core-Composite-Single-Prehung-Interior-Door-THDJW137400050/203863965?MERCH=REC-_-SearchPLPHorizontal1_rr-_-NA-_-203863965-_-N" target="_blank">5-Panel Door</a> | <a href="http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/oc-117" target="_blank">White Paint</a></div>
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The only problem? An utterly outrageous price point. None of you are surprised I'm sure. So after all that distress about the style decision, I'm left with two options. One, continue my <a href="http://www.handlesets.com/weslock-3700i-impresa-passage-door-knob-with-woodward-rose-from-the-elegance-collection/p622876" target="_blank">upstairs knobs</a> (which are $30 a piece and are quite cute) but die inside just a tiny bit, or Two, save in a major way somewhere else and splurge on these knobs for 5x the price (so wrong) but have my heart skip a happy beat every time I walk past a downstairs door. I'm telling you, the freak out and ensuing <a href="http://instagram.com/lauradesignco" target="_blank">Instagramming</a> over that UPS box would be one for the record books. Sigh.<br />
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Well guys, that's the story on what we're up to around here. I'll post updates as they come! In the meantime, I'll be missing you!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-85097875204961993702016-02-17T02:09:00.000-06:002016-02-17T02:09:08.475-06:00Schoolhouse Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyvKkSeZ0eFWvEFKlOBK8wLtzn0gZQpbpFfRs5BOXG9yzZ-L4U3h0upNXkRKsbqdq6M9VB2XzwXf4-CWFsCqCDEwCYlLsSeFmEq7dRJ2qbbN6TJNC3-kz88wrGk2g6s-anarxi2aY-mo/s1600/MinimalistInteriorPotBellyStove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyvKkSeZ0eFWvEFKlOBK8wLtzn0gZQpbpFfRs5BOXG9yzZ-L4U3h0upNXkRKsbqdq6M9VB2XzwXf4-CWFsCqCDEwCYlLsSeFmEq7dRJ2qbbN6TJNC3-kz88wrGk2g6s-anarxi2aY-mo/s400/MinimalistInteriorPotBellyStove.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Elements of schoolhouse style have been popular for at least the last half decade, from the <a href="https://www.rhbabyandchild.com/rooms/?cm_sp=global_top_nav_store-_-dynamic_menu_item-_-NA&categoryId=rhbc_cat115024&sale=false#/rhbc319002-rhbc420059" target="_blank">boys rooms of RH</a>, to the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/county_road/" target="_blank">best of minimalist farmhouses</a>. Traditional trademarks include the iconic acorn shaped pendant, plenty of glossy shiplap, distressed wood furniture, and industrial metals. </div>
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The trick to getting it right today is to pick and choose a few key pieces, and avoid going bananas so that your place doesn't end up looking like, er, a schoolhouse. Here's how to incorporate the style, and keep it fresh and updated for 2016. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HyLqJVYBXKvU3oebtL_oBB7fUo_6uFZWManZYQpkGJ6xeigOP4LE4Z0ODUA_r8b7MyqehjvdBElqx_pgeG-P5QdRGkSFe6yhUXaziWJ8ZkfblVDTmTNCUWQH7Iv3WY28xYrxucuNOb4/s1600/schoolhousestyle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HyLqJVYBXKvU3oebtL_oBB7fUo_6uFZWManZYQpkGJ6xeigOP4LE4Z0ODUA_r8b7MyqehjvdBElqx_pgeG-P5QdRGkSFe6yhUXaziWJ8ZkfblVDTmTNCUWQH7Iv3WY28xYrxucuNOb4/s640/schoolhousestyle.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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First up, for frame of reference, is an actual historic schoolhouse. Let's break down the elements and take a closer look at what to bring home (and what to leave in your locker).<br />
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Bring it Home:<br />
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<b>1. PORTRAITS</b><br />
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Check out George- he's even <a href="http://decor8blog.com/2014/12/17/dipped-paintings/" target="_blank">dipped</a>! Adding a portrait or two is a great way to bring character and personality to your space. Cool designers would probably choose an original vintage over a poster of GDub, since that's, like, obviously fake and ridiculous right? But I would totally do it. First of all, I have a weird obsession with presidential history, but more legitimately, it's cheeky. I actually came <i>this close </i>to buying a portrait of him riding a dinosaur at <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/09/renegade-craft-fair-chicago.html">Renegade</a>. Ah, craft fair regrets. Expert tip we can all agree on though: It's a good idea to test the waters on an inexpensive piece at first, to make sure you're cool with the eyes following you to your bathroom in the middle of the night.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dUz1G2UeBMwPkyPy4vMVftCyMF8aERN8PwROc2npTnar9ZkdTGZ5-37RI3S9_1_KmUGGL0fhePCPIuc6qrfUq78z_BeQTrO1vwsXMAY39gnRkOKAUUB68Er_y3DjfmnNWUAR_D9gFI8/s1600/georgeandabe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dUz1G2UeBMwPkyPy4vMVftCyMF8aERN8PwROc2npTnar9ZkdTGZ5-37RI3S9_1_KmUGGL0fhePCPIuc6qrfUq78z_BeQTrO1vwsXMAY39gnRkOKAUUB68Er_y3DjfmnNWUAR_D9gFI8/s640/georgeandabe.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>Via</i> <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2014/07/ingalls-homestead-de-smet-south-dakota.html" target="_blank">Avery Street Design Blog</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuwblBNrr9AYk8gtvDIEhUq-hTP6IomqJWBVMsctt4gI6whyn2gQu_J2LWvj9liQaExdLdl9lY_JJeRaVRGuze8sUfNGt8BsP0gRjYCk8xlr_g0yQ3UI9rX2U3knKHd3u5npqEgo7dkM/s1600/portraits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuwblBNrr9AYk8gtvDIEhUq-hTP6IomqJWBVMsctt4gI6whyn2gQu_J2LWvj9liQaExdLdl9lY_JJeRaVRGuze8sUfNGt8BsP0gRjYCk8xlr_g0yQ3UI9rX2U3knKHd3u5npqEgo7dkM/s640/portraits.jpg" width="530" /></a></div>
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<i>Via</i> <a href="http://www.unisonworkspaces.co.nz/products/lighting/interior-lighting/wall-mounted/nemo-lampe-de-marseille-surface-mounted-light" target="_blank">Unison Workspaces</a></div>
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<b>2. PLANKS</b><br />
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As the <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/shows/fixer-upper/fixer-upper-style--shiplap-decorating-ideas-pictures" target="_blank">#shiplap </a>trend continues to mow down any opposition in its path, the more planks right now the better. Floors, walls, ceiling, skinny, fat or short, it's all fair game. And it's my opinion that architecture is king. If you have ugly baseboards and drywall-meeting-drywall, no amount of mid-century foraging is going to make up the difference. Likewise, a room with outstanding architectural features hardly needs anything in it to be stunning. If you're torn about where to spend the money, start with the bones of the house.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIB5o3So173B3DLJa7RULzgWgC3deCnCR3HHvh_-jYkUiCL0CchOqkx_eNmv1zZ_jXSd3PPCPcd7V-JvQyCgl7DeSXw_53a_zzfSOIOKw7gnKU3WvcsC2DXUZD9dBqy338GCjh1wx4Kho/s1600/SchoolhouseStyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIB5o3So173B3DLJa7RULzgWgC3deCnCR3HHvh_-jYkUiCL0CchOqkx_eNmv1zZ_jXSd3PPCPcd7V-JvQyCgl7DeSXw_53a_zzfSOIOKw7gnKU3WvcsC2DXUZD9dBqy338GCjh1wx4Kho/s640/SchoolhouseStyle.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>Via</i> <a href="http://lauradesignco.com/blog/2015/11/9/barn-conference-room" target="_blank">Laura Design Co. </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVLQi0wZHGcs0FCvo6P9BkAf9Rt98PbJh8wMR5ltb983WI6JVHiGqroJJAN7SYeCey0woIdFdIXVC2d5uBJ0vrSd3LOf8maxUilTHRncaacDLLyBHU7dHbEkDrwN03ZueVBGJAWBgqh4/s1600/+DevolKitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVLQi0wZHGcs0FCvo6P9BkAf9Rt98PbJh8wMR5ltb983WI6JVHiGqroJJAN7SYeCey0woIdFdIXVC2d5uBJ0vrSd3LOf8maxUilTHRncaacDLLyBHU7dHbEkDrwN03ZueVBGJAWBgqh4/s640/+DevolKitchen.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
<i>Via</i> <a href="http://www.devolkitchens.co.uk/kitchens/shaker-range/brochure#page/24" target="_blank">deVOL</a><br />
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<b>3. STACKS OF BOOKS</b></div>
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Somehow the design world has us convinced that minimalists are also book hoarders. While this can't possibly be true, the stylists have SO perfected the art of the sloppy stack that even the most staunch spartan is clamoring to pile unread 'zines against those white walls.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIG-WB19vlVP38zzAoFt0W5u9gwne2mDKYqURf-DsgzIGWeLo1ggnHEwqExNL6-VtNhJtV2r7xy1sW9_jAGC5ka6ibAryBWIsCN1xdR8nXJ5Q-XILbuxOC_doNQgUIJ0PtLy6CkWs_ACw/s1600/JCS-Blog-TheKinfolkHome-1-1020x680.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIG-WB19vlVP38zzAoFt0W5u9gwne2mDKYqURf-DsgzIGWeLo1ggnHEwqExNL6-VtNhJtV2r7xy1sW9_jAGC5ka6ibAryBWIsCN1xdR8nXJ5Q-XILbuxOC_doNQgUIJ0PtLy6CkWs_ACw/s640/JCS-Blog-TheKinfolkHome-1-1020x680.png" width="478" /></a></div>
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<i>Via</i> <a href="http://thekinfolkhome.com/" target="_blank">Kinfolk Home</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4A9kXnJQDvUFXkLNzZEOYIY0DZYy0hRfuCcVZj0jLuE5NugQ-cLNvmKeBj9UNA17Fw4KEP3Y0ObV8jdjc6b1rpLo54f9o8zXuolz-_K-eum8_-wOMdvAwdoud9xd9cZtR2ijotgUWkXQ/s1600/69afef13a134ebd7150c95b82f66e189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4A9kXnJQDvUFXkLNzZEOYIY0DZYy0hRfuCcVZj0jLuE5NugQ-cLNvmKeBj9UNA17Fw4KEP3Y0ObV8jdjc6b1rpLo54f9o8zXuolz-_K-eum8_-wOMdvAwdoud9xd9cZtR2ijotgUWkXQ/s640/69afef13a134ebd7150c95b82f66e189.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<i>Via</i> <a href="http://www.residencemagazine.se/i-tommy-myllymakis-eget-kok/" target="_blank">Residence Magazine</a></div>
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<b>4. THE POT-BELLY STOVE</b></div>
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Believe it or not, this hallmark of early Americana is making a comeback in a huge way. I see them all. the. time. lately in the most hipster of homes. And why not? Nothing says cozy like a giant oven in the middle of your room.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbbtgS0_NW6TBrv5ToAjnFJZEY_kyenBjiS-lpT4P3Pa68MhloIZOBQqrJsiLWl423fBlwVVYQSp3_1QAPrjTwzD1D8ZUPl3vP5R6JoUvBN25yRTbuToguuBYJ9CiXDhZf0aa2GCg8X4/s1600/potbellystove.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbbtgS0_NW6TBrv5ToAjnFJZEY_kyenBjiS-lpT4P3Pa68MhloIZOBQqrJsiLWl423fBlwVVYQSp3_1QAPrjTwzD1D8ZUPl3vP5R6JoUvBN25yRTbuToguuBYJ9CiXDhZf0aa2GCg8X4/s640/potbellystove.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Via</i> <a href="http://www.planete-deco.fr/2016/01/24/un-ancien-atelier-renove-par-un-architecte/" target="_blank">Planete-Deco</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmumdmdFdNejnMxc_UQq-xYW7h9UnUB8sicNZcKN8D3T2AjMc7UUDjGn6ElPgCXgOYoWyzpZGF-R6gpoIvPgu4dF3V616sGaMMGYb9wQQaw0hUH4Wb08rGxvocKR4QnsIrX_-d_cvxoU/s1600/potbellystoveschoolhousestyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmumdmdFdNejnMxc_UQq-xYW7h9UnUB8sicNZcKN8D3T2AjMc7UUDjGn6ElPgCXgOYoWyzpZGF-R6gpoIvPgu4dF3V616sGaMMGYb9wQQaw0hUH4Wb08rGxvocKR4QnsIrX_-d_cvxoU/s640/potbellystoveschoolhousestyle.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>Via</i> <a href="http://thedesignfiles.net/2014/10/tamsin-carvan-and-family/" target="_blank">The Design Files</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtf1azVSazPBd296ccBncNOWlxDWNmh7oNH8wG1IFx-b_wxNOirQmLnOM22mvzRKsbCP8iQwUTKUiFZf-wI4i1jHwav-53xyxYrIDjOrcgLwQXUUE2l8r7iRYMn3kQRqOqtLvQ-f8aZvY/s1600/botley-house-hampshire-remodelista.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtf1azVSazPBd296ccBncNOWlxDWNmh7oNH8wG1IFx-b_wxNOirQmLnOM22mvzRKsbCP8iQwUTKUiFZf-wI4i1jHwav-53xyxYrIDjOrcgLwQXUUE2l8r7iRYMn3kQRqOqtLvQ-f8aZvY/s640/botley-house-hampshire-remodelista.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>Via</i> <a href="http://www.remodelista.com/posts/steal-this-look-minimalist-english-kitchen" target="_blank">Remodelista</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPHvz5dAb_8KxDoT98SPYxxdq4kSKu7ry0Vnd1wSGNRN_AdaUBlJ56sFcbSAK2CHTZEGceGCGQU5K5woHbAtpLGynmXh4JFa_2fUzJha0SBrDR6YUODgfJ_BFoHWFujhFDMjT1GrBxno/s1600/MinimalistInteriorPotBellyStove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPHvz5dAb_8KxDoT98SPYxxdq4kSKu7ry0Vnd1wSGNRN_AdaUBlJ56sFcbSAK2CHTZEGceGCGQU5K5woHbAtpLGynmXh4JFa_2fUzJha0SBrDR6YUODgfJ_BFoHWFujhFDMjT1GrBxno/s640/MinimalistInteriorPotBellyStove.jpg" width="474" /></a></div>
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<i>Via</i> <a href="http://trendland.com/dream-barn-house-by-whiting-architects/" target="_blank">TrendLand</a> (header image as well)</div>
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<b>5. KEEP IT MINIMAL</b><br />
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For a myriad of reasons, minimalism is more than a current trend; It's a surging movement. The roots and spirit of utilitarian style are clearly seen in these early 20th century buildings. More often than not, they're all white. They boast simple shapes, time-worn materials, hand crafted furniture, and zero excess. Keep these tenets in mind, and make sure white space is a part of your design plan.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittuewMRW3czcmmOWZNcMc5K4xKD2ZdGCScErz48gma9eq8wAQVt2ChEgnENcYANAapi0h_5pfDkQQdn79nf7gwVS9psomHgGenB7-hiNU-VaKEPjxwiMy05EII7eaRDHZ9ZCJsJ_7M8I/s1600/brownstonewithminimalfarmhousestyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittuewMRW3czcmmOWZNcMc5K4xKD2ZdGCScErz48gma9eq8wAQVt2ChEgnENcYANAapi0h_5pfDkQQdn79nf7gwVS9psomHgGenB7-hiNU-VaKEPjxwiMy05EII7eaRDHZ9ZCJsJ_7M8I/s640/brownstonewithminimalfarmhousestyle.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>
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<i>Via</i> <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2015/07/a-uniquely-renovated-1886-brownstone-nestled-in-clinton-hill-brooklyn.html" target="_blank">Design*Sponge</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrz_A2QIhOk_pHDYLt-JuoZPI9-OYLYUU8JJGbIcdPj15SyNo9unLcZ7I-hFqg_SHn5HlrX3BK3Gj9Vkn1Dd9eAgaJbA2YVov4nr7k8WAnPMT6bo_Ecrxl3HSJrRKqBCu2UhooLKMDdY/s1600/White_Space.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrz_A2QIhOk_pHDYLt-JuoZPI9-OYLYUU8JJGbIcdPj15SyNo9unLcZ7I-hFqg_SHn5HlrX3BK3Gj9Vkn1Dd9eAgaJbA2YVov4nr7k8WAnPMT6bo_Ecrxl3HSJrRKqBCu2UhooLKMDdY/s640/White_Space.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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<i>Via</i> <a href="http://dustjacket-attic.com/2015/11/interiors-white-cottage.html/" target="_blank">Dust-Jacket Attic</a></div>
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A few more tips? Think black, white & tan. Grab a schoolhouse clock. Upgrade to fantastic door hardware. And remember, cognac leather + tufting is always a good thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRi8JtfyrYXMI0LeWazbeqmcpIyJ_rfKEIkZ1yPGV10EAeGNUK638C0zNx5C-fkcMqCKqFSgbOyWdDzMXzijkB1bzcesstPu95dQiNkW3bzFqYg1ja0zovIsx3sBwTATkHBeDqW2eDAvc/s1600/SCHOOLHOUSE+STYLE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRi8JtfyrYXMI0LeWazbeqmcpIyJ_rfKEIkZ1yPGV10EAeGNUK638C0zNx5C-fkcMqCKqFSgbOyWdDzMXzijkB1bzcesstPu95dQiNkW3bzFqYg1ja0zovIsx3sBwTATkHBeDqW2eDAvc/s1600/SCHOOLHOUSE+STYLE.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/coleman" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Doorknob</a> | <a href="http://www.wayfair.com/Buyenlarge-George-Washington-by-Stuart-Painting-Print-on-Canvas-FAV1100.html?PiID[]=7425510" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">George</a> | <a href="http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/rose-city-6in/configurations/oil-rubbed-bronze-w-14-in-opal-schoolhouse-shade" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Pendant</a> | <a href="http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/alape-bucket-sink" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Sink</a> | <a href="http://www.schoolhouseelectric.com/furniture/chairs/equestrian-chair-columbian-brown.html" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Leather Chair</a> | <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pleasant-Hearth-1-750-Sq-Ft-Pellet-Stove-35-000-BTU-s-with-40-LB-Hopper-PH35PS/28471069?action=product_interest&action_type=title&item_id=28471069&placement_id=irs-106-t1&strategy=PWVUB&visitor_id&category=&client_guid=d911b706-91dd-4cee-b2cd-a3f2201fb419&customer_id_enc&config_id=106&parent_item_id=21264181&parent_anchor_item_id&guid=943178f0-475c-47d2-ab95-21811cc1a693&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&beacon_version=1.0.1&findingMethod=p13n" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Fireplace</a> | </div>
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<a href="http://www.industrywest.com/shop/stools/madewell-bar-stool.html" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Stool</a> | <a href="http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/15in-black-wall-clock" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Clock</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Kinfolk-Home-Interiors-Living/dp/157965665X" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Book</a> | <a href="http://www.shopterrain.com/sale-garden/Solid-Brass-Modern-Watering-Can" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Watering Can</a> | <a href="http://www.schoolhouseelectric.com/furniture/chairs/jack-chair-windowpane-plaid.html" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Buffalo Check Chair</a> </div>
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Now there are a few more <i>obvious </i>nods to the ol' schoolhouse that I would caution you to use sparingly. Since this trend has been around a while, the goal is to keep it fresh. So, while any one of these things can still be perfectly fine and wonderful, putting two or more in the same room can put you in that "bananas" zone we discussed earlier. And obviously, bananas have no business in the American educational system. So leave these in your locker:</div>
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Maps</div>
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American Flags</div>
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Chalkboards</div>
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Lanterns</div>
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Globes</div>
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Um, Lockers<br />
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What do you think? Can this trend stick around for a bit longer and still feel fresh? Or is it time for us to graduate?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-67411839368788420912016-01-19T06:00:00.000-06:002016-01-19T06:00:33.626-06:00New Year's Wish List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbKGXz4JG-MHi7wlhSAaEXIJmiswjKlh06jYhL2D2V18oYmVbbdono-US3DisSs_FdrO3ZWsBAwk79SgpqvYyyjK2usKXyO0-SwnIV-Cz8iXqNCGH6FSVg6Bl49Xsy4gKt6JeNR69res/s1600/Eucalyptus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbKGXz4JG-MHi7wlhSAaEXIJmiswjKlh06jYhL2D2V18oYmVbbdono-US3DisSs_FdrO3ZWsBAwk79SgpqvYyyjK2usKXyO0-SwnIV-Cz8iXqNCGH6FSVg6Bl49Xsy4gKt6JeNR69res/s400/Eucalyptus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Happy New Year!<br />
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I realize it's completely wrong to make a wish list AFTER Christmas, when you just got a bunch of stuff, but I can't help it. I, like pretty much everyone in the free world, read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Magic-Tidying-Decluttering-Organizing/dp/1607747308/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1453176838&sr=1-3&keywords=marie+kondo" target="_blank">Marie Kondo's book</a> over the holidays, which ended in a colossal purge-fest.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvkJ7e63SvK4knE21JGZpgCPnrlu5XI796BwmUzA6szd8SOkaLOuJggizXpXB6PHPDbDKVM8wdNNyOmh0ytYGKhPgfzZgCqHCBU9ULMyjbjWAd1_jd8vZ5jx97KGwjeN35FimVt4wgZk/s1600/IMG_2712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvkJ7e63SvK4knE21JGZpgCPnrlu5XI796BwmUzA6szd8SOkaLOuJggizXpXB6PHPDbDKVM8wdNNyOmh0ytYGKhPgfzZgCqHCBU9ULMyjbjWAd1_jd8vZ5jx97KGwjeN35FimVt4wgZk/s640/IMG_2712.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>A few pretties that survived the cut...</i></div>
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My closet has about 12 pieces of clothing left, and although that is exactly the amount I actually love and wear, it did become obvious that some key pieces are needed to round out my wardrobe. Hence, the wish list process began. And, well, you know how it is when you get on the internet....you end up needing all the things.<br />
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Luckily, I still remember my blogger password, so I can come here and brain dump all those things and feel better. I'm sorry if it makes YOU want all the things!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOZ_vwFKCA5ebxxfVFLVWahMglTW9OHRGGeikK3RdLM9mfYYni5BluWemjqKnd7lTiuSQU4Hk4gK-E_tiwhPjAtmAUxdKlOlhESv_9YH3g44f3Dxgk50Qbh9i5lOu-sU4PM0zQZ3UgkY/s1600/WISH+LIST+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOZ_vwFKCA5ebxxfVFLVWahMglTW9OHRGGeikK3RdLM9mfYYni5BluWemjqKnd7lTiuSQU4Hk4gK-E_tiwhPjAtmAUxdKlOlhESv_9YH3g44f3Dxgk50Qbh9i5lOu-sU4PM0zQZ3UgkY/s1600/WISH+LIST+%25282%2529.png" /></a></div>
1. <a href="https://www.madewell.com/madewell_category/AllProducts/PRDOVR~B7497/B7497.jsp?srcCode=FBLK00001&srcCode=MWPINT00007" target="_blank">Stem Bend Earrings</a>.<br />
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2. <a href="http://www.studio-mcgee.com/studiomcgee-shop/buffalo-check-charcoal-pillow" target="_blank">Buffalo Check Pillow</a>. (This will in no way clothe me. But it could temporarily abate my raging need to clad my whole house in buffalo check wallpaper, so that would be a good thing).<br />
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3. <a href="https://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/50offselectsalestyles/PRD~B7821/B7821.jsp?Nbrd=J&Nloc=en_US&Nrpp=48&Npge=1&Ntrm=ava+ballet+flats&isSaleItem=true&color_name=BLACK&isFromSearch=true&isNewSearch=true&hash=row0" target="_blank">J.Crew Ava Ballet Flats</a>. PSA, on super sale right now!<br />
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4. <a href="http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod12601019#" target="_blank">Michael Kors perfume</a>. This stuff smells sooo good.<br />
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5. <a href="http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/f4038" target="_blank">Vintage Factory Chair</a>, because rabbit holing at Rejuvenation is dangerous, dangerous business.<br />
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6. & 9. <a href="https://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/outerwear/puffersandvests/PRDOVR~E3889/E3889.jsp" target="_blank">Puffer Coat</a> & <a href="http://www.freepeople.com/shop/Caribou-Weather-Boot-35674118/" target="_blank">Sorel Boots</a>. Because it's. freaking. cold. here.<br />
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7. <a href="http://www.juliakostreva.com/products/gold-foil-any-year-daily-planner-deco" target="_blank">Julia Kostreva Planner</a>.<br />
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8. <a href="http://www.chicwish.com/amore-tulle-midi-skirt-in-ice-orange.html" target="_blank">Tulle Midi Skirt</a>. Obviously there is no need in my life for this skirt. Except that I neeeeeeeeeeed it.<br />
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10. <a href="http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/collections/west-slope-faucet" target="_blank">West Slope Faucet</a>. As I've already mentioned, Rejuvenation is dangerous.<br />
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11. <a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/roar-rabbit-armchair-h1717/?pkey=cliving-room-chairs%7C%7C" target="_blank">Swivel Chair</a>. (My <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/08/gimme-dat-chair.html">obsession with West Elm chairs</a> continues).<br />
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12. <a href="http://www.ralphlauren.com/product/index.jsp?productId=35262646&cp=2943768.55867476&ab=ln_nodivision_cs_rrl&s=D-DollarRank&parentPage=family" target="_blank">RRL Blackwash Skinny Jean</a>. Is anyone else soooooo tired of cheap jeans?! I'm over it. And since my kids are ALMOST past the age where I live on my knees cleaning up Duplo and changing diapers and being ridden like a dog (I must caveat "almost" since all of those things happened this week), I'd love to invest in jeans that won't have knee holes after 2 months. And that will, like, hold their shape and stuff. And since it's my wish list, I'm going to go ahead and add "legs like that model" to the round up. If anyone figures out how I can get those, let me know. (Please note I don't have time to exercise as I'm very busy being ridden like a dog).<br />
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13. <a href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446842236" target="_blank">Cashmere Beanie</a> from Saks. Saw this in the store on a trip downtown, and now of course it's sold out in black. Oh sweet hat. Why didn't I buy you when I had the chance? Oh yeah, because you were two hundred dollars.<br />
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14. <a href="https://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/shoes/flats/PRDOVR~E0036/E0036.jsp" target="_blank">Cheetah Print D'Orsay Flats</a> ...Actually they wouldn't have to be flats. They could be flats, loafers, pumps...whatever. Anything with cheetah print and a pointy toe.<br />
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15. <a href="http://www.barneys.com/Rodin-Crema-501597458.html" target="_blank">Rodin Crema</a>, because if you are a wannabe minimalist<a href="http://instagram.com/laurairion" target="_blank"> Instagrammer</a>, you buy this. It's just what you do.<br />
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16. <a href="https://www.warbyparker.com/eyeglasses/women/finch/bellini" target="_blank">Finch Glasses in Bellini</a><br />
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17. A massive <a href="http://www.freepeople.com/shop/koda-brushed-scarf-36312239/?c=scarves" target="_blank">scarf</a>...because did I mention it's cold?<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-83004851904245682922015-12-14T00:00:00.000-06:002015-12-14T00:00:12.207-06:00DIY Eucalyptus Garland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGB_ga7ubHERLi6jfC3j6KHxtVcM-3IwjYpeDKpUfypHXu_weEb-Y4FaPuiC3xaYxrgi6j0oHYVQYneG3IfaPSmaGzXy587XyBFpjzhbDzgUi1KCYvQ2Iyjx9ZUrBHWTzpqzjGk-rYN4/s1600/DIYEucalyptusChristmasGarland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGB_ga7ubHERLi6jfC3j6KHxtVcM-3IwjYpeDKpUfypHXu_weEb-Y4FaPuiC3xaYxrgi6j0oHYVQYneG3IfaPSmaGzXy587XyBFpjzhbDzgUi1KCYvQ2Iyjx9ZUrBHWTzpqzjGk-rYN4/s400/DIYEucalyptusChristmasGarland.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Merry Christmas! I was busy over the weekend putting the finishing touches on our decorations. Even though it feels like I put up less and less each year, I still somehow end up bombing our entire house with boxes, wrapping, general Christmas messes of all kinds, and leaves. So many leaves. </div>
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The good news is, we have almost completely dug ourselves out from under it (though my office may need to be declared a national disaster area), and I have a super sweet and easy little DIY to share.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFt8JXyeARaDAPgmOqPT_65nM4ubuakwXuliIcHWlroeIfkH_M-tYxoeSclBlTVAf6Q11cj9JgefZax_ZM5arregkAb2G1uCTF-fq2TN5yy1AP99Aq4o4W-SqbXPjY0Kft0GkeLJPVXmo/s1600/IMG_1795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFt8JXyeARaDAPgmOqPT_65nM4ubuakwXuliIcHWlroeIfkH_M-tYxoeSclBlTVAf6Q11cj9JgefZax_ZM5arregkAb2G1uCTF-fq2TN5yy1AP99Aq4o4W-SqbXPjY0Kft0GkeLJPVXmo/s640/IMG_1795.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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DIY Eucalyptus Garland</h3>
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<i>Time: 45 Minutes</i></div>
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<i>Cost: $12</i></div>
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<i>Skill Level: Intermediate </i></div>
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<i>Patience Level: Beach Read</i></div>
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<i>Supplies:</i></div>
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Lightweight Fresh Greenery</div>
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Twine </div>
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Scissors</div>
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Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks</div>
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Wall Hooks</div>
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<i>Instructions:</i></div>
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The greenery I used for this garland is called Silver Dollar Eucalyptus. The only place I've ever seen it (without a yucky sprayed on blue-ish color coating) is at Trader Joe's. They also usually have Seeded Eucalyptus this time of year, which would be a lovely substitute or in combination. For my garland, I used TWO $2.99 bunches.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CDkK47DcCS7LhKstAZeLUmKo74zN_c6K3OhoPQRtPchXXa428sr7JrtYFA-8XAbUZfwxO5mhjcVn_zOxuQpqPFdYmKTSdcF6x2fpIw5vewa9lHHk8XhwenPfbScRHVQkC3ofct3XBiw/s1600/IMG_1802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CDkK47DcCS7LhKstAZeLUmKo74zN_c6K3OhoPQRtPchXXa428sr7JrtYFA-8XAbUZfwxO5mhjcVn_zOxuQpqPFdYmKTSdcF6x2fpIw5vewa9lHHk8XhwenPfbScRHVQkC3ofct3XBiw/s640/IMG_1802.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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- Begin by deciding where you are going to hang it and cut a length of twine to fit your space. I knew I wanted to drape this garland over the bed in a bit of a "tent" pattern, so I made sure to allow enough twine for the swags.</div>
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- Next, cut the bottom of the stems off each spring of eucalyptus, so that each piece has leaves all the way to the end of it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVLcuEF_bM-W7DCLtonCE-A6Sahw5rszr9nvPB_9xePFq7K6fLUOnUIAnWCBl_rHWrpBNL8LL6jqJIvckwysPr3eXRhZ5hzTEmrcQwJKxbPv_3yZ4UHdfeIcj2YWI1HPruiUgW_2I0qs/s1600/EucalyptusGarlandTurorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVLcuEF_bM-W7DCLtonCE-A6Sahw5rszr9nvPB_9xePFq7K6fLUOnUIAnWCBl_rHWrpBNL8LL6jqJIvckwysPr3eXRhZ5hzTEmrcQwJKxbPv_3yZ4UHdfeIcj2YWI1HPruiUgW_2I0qs/s640/EucalyptusGarlandTurorial.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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- You're going to glue the stems end-to-end along the twine. Start at one end of the twine and work your way to the other, keeping the stems going in the same direction. To hide the end of the twine, glue it to a leaf. As you work your way along, wind the twine through and around the leaves for an organic, casual feel. Dot the glue every 4 or so inches along each branch and try to place it in the more substantial parts of the branch, like where the leaves shoot off. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbjqo08R1k1s5ecRhXUx_CUmb8hchNz3PWu6SIEHPLsKZVK0-YTiu1j9FCCz4NIHfTU7GFiwPKiA0Ua5v_8NajdS_qOBfCB3NCM7Ugq_vb3mWniwKmJmT1jSYm7EztC33bFj-bTnjhvE/s1600/EucalyptusGarlandDIY.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbjqo08R1k1s5ecRhXUx_CUmb8hchNz3PWu6SIEHPLsKZVK0-YTiu1j9FCCz4NIHfTU7GFiwPKiA0Ua5v_8NajdS_qOBfCB3NCM7Ugq_vb3mWniwKmJmT1jSYm7EztC33bFj-bTnjhvE/s640/EucalyptusGarlandDIY.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAyBuTx5xrU9iWVOY43DntPWBzVSatKZASSDjyv5E15_sFTv7gVOXfUDUO0Q1AZb5CpkxSVjVqNZXkwQSUcjrHCAAJuCoJ9_mhF0fx6g7HuQakHpAN0nUh32c4SidLhbcsP_EqBm7RkQ/s1600/DIYEucalyptusGarland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAyBuTx5xrU9iWVOY43DntPWBzVSatKZASSDjyv5E15_sFTv7gVOXfUDUO0Q1AZb5CpkxSVjVqNZXkwQSUcjrHCAAJuCoJ9_mhF0fx6g7HuQakHpAN0nUh32c4SidLhbcsP_EqBm7RkQ/s640/DIYEucalyptusGarland.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOO-aUL16ZdcGHbdtLfvBL71IkL1gdSqXzCnGQfDLBMG24uhFpR3bbZYKEP9-hamiOqIqSLmbVOuisnv0IiOYhsAolcgbI6IjABOx5guuM_SKyPoM6ReDCa9Dj2Rn620CoyDb_EaJvW60/s1600/IMG_1761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOO-aUL16ZdcGHbdtLfvBL71IkL1gdSqXzCnGQfDLBMG24uhFpR3bbZYKEP9-hamiOqIqSLmbVOuisnv0IiOYhsAolcgbI6IjABOx5guuM_SKyPoM6ReDCa9Dj2Rn620CoyDb_EaJvW60/s640/IMG_1761.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Senb-rHXDdGfynXRY-BeDOcVbQ8-6s-GpqKzXuZTQg6_CaF6C0Kcf8opHuZlakIZaLYPxC6FjssxtaMSFdMjmOpo9xQNQK1Mr0uP1Tp9-a6LRes_ZwDDF5t142vOglCv-FK-kfPJx4Y/s1600/ChristmasGarlandTutorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Senb-rHXDdGfynXRY-BeDOcVbQ8-6s-GpqKzXuZTQg6_CaF6C0Kcf8opHuZlakIZaLYPxC6FjssxtaMSFdMjmOpo9xQNQK1Mr0uP1Tp9-a6LRes_ZwDDF5t142vOglCv-FK-kfPJx4Y/s640/ChristmasGarlandTutorial.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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- Overlap the branches just slightly so that leaves cover the ends of the stems.<br />
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- Once it starts getting long, you can lay it out along the floor to keep from getting tangled.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9xqkDMOOLHvEioF7o5f7-sucqgs6dg1n1aVw8tpuc4-7jHDAKy-W5g5TmxEoJ2XvmfC88ZxZRB3qmRtzvZv9xfgyWu2i5a26IMhmpSi8E0ob8iolQNgSnOJXcoPbZMu2eW7Qxmfd24s/s1600/DIYGarlandChristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9xqkDMOOLHvEioF7o5f7-sucqgs6dg1n1aVw8tpuc4-7jHDAKy-W5g5TmxEoJ2XvmfC88ZxZRB3qmRtzvZv9xfgyWu2i5a26IMhmpSi8E0ob8iolQNgSnOJXcoPbZMu2eW7Qxmfd24s/s640/DIYGarlandChristmas.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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- You can change the direction of the last branch or two so that the open end of the twine can again be covered with a leaf, and you don't have a bare stem ending the garland.<br />
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- For hanging, I used 3M Command Hooks to create a pattern on the wall. I half-heartedly used a tape measure and mostly eyeballed it since the branches aren't perfectly straight anyway.<br />
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- Loosely fold the garland in half so you find the middle and hang it from that point on your center hook. Then you can hang one side at a time. Adjust as necessary.<br />
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Aaaaand scene. It's really simple and quick, and smells wonderful! It is also long-lasting. The color will lose its minty blue hints and fade to a more sage green over time. My sprigs from last year stayed in a vase looking lovely (without water) for months.<br />
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My daughter has already called dibs on this garland for her room after Christmas. She has also demanded I switch rooms with her, because she likes mine better. I'm not going to lie to you, that's probably the best compliment I can get on a project. :)<br />
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Enjoy the season!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-28517095698860992422015-11-27T14:04:00.000-06:002015-11-27T14:04:12.710-06:00Shopping for Christmas Cards with Minted<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6hYpbKX0WLJYOoG4COsTofX-oVUwvGoMBjVgsqePBZyDx1rPhoVuRfJj93lDvqcVskjvWIffk8weNsvHDSptryBFEcTjl9iJ2w8CWVtIusYhiQXCaRLnZN2-bq4PIwiniK0OjPs9beg/s1600/IMG_1097+-+Edited+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6hYpbKX0WLJYOoG4COsTofX-oVUwvGoMBjVgsqePBZyDx1rPhoVuRfJj93lDvqcVskjvWIffk8weNsvHDSptryBFEcTjl9iJ2w8CWVtIusYhiQXCaRLnZN2-bq4PIwiniK0OjPs9beg/s400/IMG_1097+-+Edited+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Some of you will remember my <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2014/11/shopping-forchristmas-cards.html" target="_blank">Christmas card shopping post</a> from last year, and how difficult it was to narrow down a choice amidst all the insanely good paper companies out there these days.<br />
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This year, <a href="http://www.minted.com/" target="_blank">Minted</a> reached out and asked if they could sponsor my Christmas cards. I'm telling you, I didn't even have to open their site before I said YES to that about 2 seconds later (they were one of my contenders last year and I regularly stalk them). I have used them countless times for <a href="http://www.minted.com/art?it_category=n_artb&it_id=c1i1fa" target="_blank">art</a>, and even though this was my first time shopping their paper, I already knew I loved their <a href="http://www.minted.com/holiday-photo-cards?it_category=n_seasonal&it_id=c4i1h" target="_blank">card designs</a>.<br />
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What I didn't know was that it would STILL be nearly impossible to narrow down the choice. I thought that, being limited to shopping at one site, I would have an easy time picking a card. Nope. I wanted soooooo many of them. Here are a few I loved in particular...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgx3yTAVv4Nk6cnKykq9PM5P1NZV6mwyHbyKT1OC-wZApmXNR16V8ahM5Z18zyO2S4CRGI6rxUqBb9EBm6a4Z_AxBFT-bGc9nvKj3KSWdSsiBuoeza0BHP8KZDjog6n3rulBwGomJZeVc/s1600/ChristmasOscarandEmma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgx3yTAVv4Nk6cnKykq9PM5P1NZV6mwyHbyKT1OC-wZApmXNR16V8ahM5Z18zyO2S4CRGI6rxUqBb9EBm6a4Z_AxBFT-bGc9nvKj3KSWdSsiBuoeza0BHP8KZDjog6n3rulBwGomJZeVc/s640/ChristmasOscarandEmma.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.minted.com/product/holiday-photo-cards/MIN-YVW-HYC/embellished?feature=Browse&event=sku_click&sku=MIN-YVW-HYC&pop_rank=57&source=image&t_api=1&ccId=630353&agI=0&org=photo" target="_blank">Embellished Photo Card by Oscar & Emma</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3hkSlsD6czZbP32suy5C8eYDb12OnRmK7jAdT1OkNqSu89wTLgI1urUZGMGT1eGgnQjSWMT6Nw9hMm7woY8vijQCrLOCQrSIHNIgrPID71A-A6pVpmrISPgeYGQRIBKlGAEdIBeiFhA/s1600/MintedFoilChristmasCard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3hkSlsD6czZbP32suy5C8eYDb12OnRmK7jAdT1OkNqSu89wTLgI1urUZGMGT1eGgnQjSWMT6Nw9hMm7woY8vijQCrLOCQrSIHNIgrPID71A-A6pVpmrISPgeYGQRIBKlGAEdIBeiFhA/s640/MintedFoilChristmasCard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.minted.com/product/foil-pressed-holiday-cards/MIN-UQV-HFS/modern-rustic?feature=Browse&event=sku_click&sku=MIN-UQV-HFS&pop_rank=60&source=image&t_api=1&ccId=631773&org=photo" target="_blank">Rustic Foil Card by Lorent and Leif</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcNtdk0sOhJjy8SaR4w3iKwYvMtbafWd-cQM1O3p2mgoGmZNmjMJqDrvV2BW7rerA4FuASH26T7Hqqf7nnyWG6e6HqE4V2w7UQI-pOyPz8Jqrb-Op1Le_eSaOH7cDGY7m0Ezp_MLxHsk/s1600/GoldFoilChristmasCard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcNtdk0sOhJjy8SaR4w3iKwYvMtbafWd-cQM1O3p2mgoGmZNmjMJqDrvV2BW7rerA4FuASH26T7Hqqf7nnyWG6e6HqE4V2w7UQI-pOyPz8Jqrb-Op1Le_eSaOH7cDGY7m0Ezp_MLxHsk/s640/GoldFoilChristmasCard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_85282430"></span>Merry Scriptmas Foil-Pressed Card by Rebecca Turner</a></div>
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But you know, it changes everything when you put your own photo in, doesn't it? I always fall in love with a card only to realize the writing will be across my kids' faces, or that I don't have a shot that's the right orientation, or that I don't own a red sweater'd bulldog or a chubby baby girl sporting <a href="http://freshlypicked.com/collections/moccasins" target="_blank">Freshly Picked mocs</a>.</div>
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So here is the coolest thing. Minted lets you put in your own photo before you start scrolling through all the card options. This is a game changer. You can immediately see what designs work with what you have to work with. After I did that little maneuver, it was waaay easier to see what cards were possibilities.</div>
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All the cute foil script doesn't look so cute when it's scrawled across a forehead, huh?! ;) The great news is I didn't have to build each individual card before I realized this. Like I said, #gamechanger.</div>
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In the end, I went with a bit of a departure for me...I normally don't do pink for the holidays but this artful print with hot pink and gold foil "joy" sprawled across it just grabbed my heart. Want to see??</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tRYmMPMZuDhbceEKGpuRBstyaJWnnua3aADFtkRByRh9mkT2Vrn3CC5YS_s7K8hVJxysfFrwLSHcQARuerBfo_11hixyFeoMGPLuBvV2oBX2urcNkK6zYvty50AFd788MqCVDvtPpG0/s1600/IMG_1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tRYmMPMZuDhbceEKGpuRBstyaJWnnua3aADFtkRByRh9mkT2Vrn3CC5YS_s7K8hVJxysfFrwLSHcQARuerBfo_11hixyFeoMGPLuBvV2oBX2urcNkK6zYvty50AFd788MqCVDvtPpG0/s640/IMG_1097.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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Oh wait, before I show you...I couldn't believe this either, but <a href="http://www.minted.com/custom-printed-envelopes?it_category=n_seasonal&it_id=img2i1hc" target="_blank">they will address your envelopes for you</a>! FREE. You can choose from a bunch of different style options, but all their cards have matching envelope designs. And I don't know if this a special promotion or what, but as of today the option is still available for no extra charge. Hi, no brainer. I have never been this ahead of the Christmas card game in my life. You can type in names and addresses individually (like I did) or upload a spreadsheet (like a smart person would have). I can't tell you how good it felt to open the box of Christmas cards and know that I didn't have hours of addressing still to go. Even if it had cost a little extra, that feeling is worth it!</div>
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OK, now I will show you our cards. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0hts25KTpbcvHq-LJ5tYXezZfmb6Z3RbUFG3gUzLOdZvAjvjBqI3w9PUPLUfP2q57HjbzbThbzEkC3hQU5jEv-Y3yKGapcgTEyzu_UKMiCb0Y1f5X3IJXCEaIXB627Ky3vgNj3qVk1Q/s1600/IMG_1246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0hts25KTpbcvHq-LJ5tYXezZfmb6Z3RbUFG3gUzLOdZvAjvjBqI3w9PUPLUfP2q57HjbzbThbzEkC3hQU5jEv-Y3yKGapcgTEyzu_UKMiCb0Y1f5X3IJXCEaIXB627Ky3vgNj3qVk1Q/s640/IMG_1246.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSKQfN4cyl8PSAWRz4Y5s7bLRRU4J_uHgIrrb22UNEfuR0ioOCxfeBbJgF3UzC_O9hW7ZKCzlewxfG2-TnymCS1-NmSBtgH-0xZwsDLYQ2LmoFFjsNS2b4stQxu929z2uoGaB-ig3a6o/s1600/IMG_1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSKQfN4cyl8PSAWRz4Y5s7bLRRU4J_uHgIrrb22UNEfuR0ioOCxfeBbJgF3UzC_O9hW7ZKCzlewxfG2-TnymCS1-NmSBtgH-0xZwsDLYQ2LmoFFjsNS2b4stQxu929z2uoGaB-ig3a6o/s640/IMG_1253.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnv4T77t1rulF0zYGr1Eyk8lv1Lj3wPWtFatiozSuD4vQVmFzWHdPA1l89IdELD-NCKLIxaLdLFOgIzeMT6m5Z43W15wu-wLvYiJeemhAk4JZYpoOYv6AuyiE7-IZiVpvzYUcu539JiSM/s1600/IMG_1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnv4T77t1rulF0zYGr1Eyk8lv1Lj3wPWtFatiozSuD4vQVmFzWHdPA1l89IdELD-NCKLIxaLdLFOgIzeMT6m5Z43W15wu-wLvYiJeemhAk4JZYpoOYv6AuyiE7-IZiVpvzYUcu539JiSM/s640/IMG_1252.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_F-L7blzb09s0NKtz224MAkrXx1ufvb8STGco8EczXfMEIKkSyAWib077qV8DuENRLpdYpbKz7GM1zNfzlLFP1lmoMNuPWDELgWx3hs7vg7Bru9AasL5J6Ovq7UA6Z9E5ETC9O6YL0Io/s1600/IMG_1251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_F-L7blzb09s0NKtz224MAkrXx1ufvb8STGco8EczXfMEIKkSyAWib077qV8DuENRLpdYpbKz7GM1zNfzlLFP1lmoMNuPWDELgWx3hs7vg7Bru9AasL5J6Ovq7UA6Z9E5ETC9O6YL0Io/s640/IMG_1251.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Aren't they cute?! My only oversight was choosing a picture where CJ's hair blended into the shadows of the tree to create a tower of lightning shooting out of his head. Doh! But hey, he has always wanted to be a superhero so we'll just go with it. Perfect Christmas cards, Minted can do. Perfect pictures of your kids...that most likely no one can do. </div>
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So, you guys, seriously, I would recommend <a href="http://minted.com/" target="_blank">Minted</a> in a heartbeat for cards. I have bought from tons of different card companies, and this one had a very user-friendly website, lots of customization options, easy ordering, delightful packaging and great customer service. (Sidenote: if you can get your butt in gear today they are having a great <a href="http://www.minted.com/minted-coupon-codes?feature=Browse&event=promo_bar_click&destination_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minted.com%2Fminted-coupon-codes&t_api=1" target="_blank">Black Friday sale</a>!)</div>
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Here's wishing you a happy start to the Christmas season!</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">This post was sponsored by <a href="http://minted.com/" target="_blank">Minted</a>, for which I am very grateful. As always, all opinions and reviews are 100% my own, and I only share companies with you that I would share with my best friends at our weekly playdate. </span></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-48985056982596915462015-11-12T00:07:00.000-06:002015-11-27T14:32:11.011-06:00One Room Challenge // Exterior Reveal!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh you guys. The last week has been the biggest roller coaster in the life of this blog, and probably in my years as a home-owner. I am chuckling to think that we decided to tackle the exterior because it was the "easiest" of the projects on our to-do list. Ahhhhh, how hindsight mocks us.<br />
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Welcome to the 6th and final week of the <a href="http://www.callingithome.com/2015/11/one-room-challenge-guest-participants.html" target="_blank">One Room Challenge</a>, hosted by Linda of Calling It Home! In case you need to binge-read to catch up because you have no idea why you're here or what's going on:<br />
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<a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/10/one-room-challenge-exterior-week-1.html" target="_blank">Week 1</a> | <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/10/one-room-challenge-exterior-week-2.html" target="_blank">Week 2</a> | <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/10/one-room-challenge-exterior-week-3.html" target="_blank">Week 3</a> | <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/10/one-room-challenge-exterior-week-4.html" target="_blank">Week 4</a> | <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/11/one-room-challenge-exterior-week-5.html" target="_blank">Week 5</a></div>
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I feel like I need to start off with an Academy Awards style thank-you speech, because there are so many key players leading up to this sentence:<br />
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I HAVE DOORS.<br />
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PAINTED DOORS.<br />
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ATTACHED TO MY HOUSE.<br />
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Insert ALL the emoji! Seven days ago that dream was dead in the water. I mean, no way, no how. I pouted about it for an entire two days. (I also texted my friend <a href="http://thebigrevealblog.com/" target="_blank">Grace</a> that I needed to watch the news and slap myself for said pouting, ASAP).<br />
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Then this happened. My awesome girl <a href="http://tableandhearth.com/" target="_blank">Emily from Table and Hearth</a> left one little unassuming blog comment on<a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/11/one-room-challenge-exterior-week-5.html" target="_blank"> last week's post</a>: "Can you put a space heater in the garage for a few days and paint the new door in there (if it comes in time)?" DUH!!! All this time I had been proceeding according to the install-it-then-paint-it typical front door protocol, but she was SO right! I should just do that!<br />
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One problem left. (OK, well, a lot of problems left, but one step at a time). I am not allowed to paint doors. My husband, rightly so, has banned us both from putting brush to door ever again in this house or any other we should ever own. And at this late hour, how was I going to book someone? I had no painter. I returned to lamenting about this to my friend Holly, the poor soul who happened to be at my house last Friday dealing with the mental break down of mid-ORC Laura. She immediately said, "Too bad you can't call Jeremy." Oh, you mean your cousin <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Elite-Painting-and-Design-426469400889565/timeline" target="_blank">who has a painting business</a>? Wait, why can't I call Jeremy? Oh, I am going. to. call. Jeremy.<br />
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Fast forward 6 hours and Jeremy, his wife Danielle, and I are KIDNAPPING MY DOOR from Home Depot. (Well, I prefer to think of it as a hostage rescue operation, but whatever). Jeremy and Danielle brought their truck and it took 8 guys and a FORKLIFT to load it in. Unfortunately, where we were taking it, a.k.a. my garage, there were only 4 people who- no offense- were a tad less beefy than the Home Depot guys, and there was certainly no forklift. We definitely almost killed Danielle with a door that night.<br />
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Ryan, Jeremy, Danielle, and I somehow wrestled a crated 250 pound door out of a truck without breaking the glass or damaging a human, then took the doors out of the frame, loaded them back into his truck with every couch cushion I own, and sent them back to his heated garage to be painted.<br />
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MAN ALIVE. More problems ensued the next morning as all the paints I had picked out were "special order" (darn it Ben Moore, do you not understand this is a CRISIS!) and I ended up saying "just get whatever high gloss they recommend!" which was possibly not the smartest move, or was maybe the best move ever. Check back next Spring for a verdict on that.<br />
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In any case, Jeremy sprayed the heck out of these bad boys, and they are GORGEOUS. I mean, glossy and lovely and gorgeous. Be still my heart! His text updates were sending me over the moon.<br />
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In the meantime, Home Depot still hadn't arranged to actually install it. It was Saturday. And between the cure time needed of 4-5 days, and the blog deadline of Thursday, the ONLY possible day I could have them do it was Wednesday morning. Finally, after tireless work by my Millwork dept. BFF Archie (Archie! We did it! You are my favorite!!) to get this thing coordinated, I got a call from the installer Kevin, who said there was no possible way he could do it Wednesday. I proceeded to give him my entire sob story, and the rising tide of girl emotions (I was nice, I swear!) moved him to say YES and he rearranged his schedule to be here Wednesday morning. Was this really happening?!<br />
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Well, it did. It really happened. As I write this, Kevin (Kevin! I could hug you!) showed up exactly 13 hours ago, and installed a beautiful, glossy, black, and still intact after one kidnapping, one near-death experience, two truck rides, one van ride, and one couch-desecration, FRONT DOOR!<br />
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And with all that, I am thrilled to present to you the reveal of our One Room Challenge Exterior Makeover!<br />
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Should we start with the doors? Remember what used to greet our guests?!<br />
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And now, as of today, our doors look like this!<br />
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Before...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSl2VsebcLV4GgGSvIWsL77x0WroCqFRHyvWgeVzJl0D17dF-tzVtI7LcJBNv-fDiCwDhoJ1OZmTbKEWp-6GpFwENc7xDLSaGWGLzZg8pzzgHktg6GgQJSfR_vTOmP40viPBvIPKOQpk/s1600/doorsbefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSl2VsebcLV4GgGSvIWsL77x0WroCqFRHyvWgeVzJl0D17dF-tzVtI7LcJBNv-fDiCwDhoJ1OZmTbKEWp-6GpFwENc7xDLSaGWGLzZg8pzzgHktg6GgQJSfR_vTOmP40viPBvIPKOQpk/s640/doorsbefore.jpg" width="570" /></a></div>
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And after!<br />
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Obviously, I am super excited about the doors. But the whole house got a facelift. The goals of this project were:<br />
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Front Door<br />
Garage Door<br />
Shutters<br />
Lights<br />
Doorbell<br />
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I am pleased to report we checked them ALL off! And as an added bonus, we also crossed off a couple things on our secondary wish list:<br />
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Planter Boxes<br />
Mailbox Makeover<br />
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Here is a look back at the house 6 weeks ago:<br />
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And here it is now...<br />
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Can we just take a moment to say RIP all the pretty plants and trees that were once so alive in this yard? Last week I got a few pictures of the garage side of the house before the last of the lovely yellow leaves fell off our magnolia tree...<br />
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Those are the planter boxes that Ryan built. I love how they are an architectural feature next to the new garage!</div>
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New lights...</div>
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Here's the mailbox's pitiful previous life...</div>
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Here's what $50, a sander and a can of paint can do for your curb appeal!</div>
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I love the new shutters and how the black pops against the house...</div>
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We did matching planter boxes for the porch in a smaller size, and I couldn't help but buy a few lanterns to cozy up the porch...</div>
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Speaking of "couldn't help but buy"...I happened upon a rug at Home Goods for the front entry and thought it was just so appropriate to have a new rug with our new doors! </div>
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I wish I could have gotten a good picture of the door interior, but I'm terrible at shooting dark paint in bright light (probably because I still only use an iPhone for all my photos!) - Suffice it to say, they are DREAMY in our entry. The color is Mysterious by Benjamin Moore, and the crystal of the Rejuvenation knobs sparkles like crazy against the dark finish! I could not in good conscience keep our old brown rug in this entry. You understand.</div>
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The LED edison bulbs we found for our barn lights cast a lovely glow, and the new windows in the doors make the porch welcoming as night falls...</div>
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And that's the tour! Our exterior makeover is (for now) complete. In the Spring we'll do a few things that the weather prevented this time around, like plant shrubs and seal the driveway. But I'm so pleased! I can't wait to figure out how to get some red wreaths on the doors for Christmas...</div>
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Here is the list of shout outs and sources:</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Painting- </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Elite-Painting-and-Design-426469400889565/timeline" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Elite Painting & Design</a></div>
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Front Doors- <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Feather-River-Doors-74-in-x-81-625-in-Mission-Pointe-Zinc-1-2-Lite-Unfinished-Smooth-Fiberglass-Double-Prehung-Front-Door-882191-400/203126104" target="_blank">Home Depot</a> (Thank you Archie!)</div>
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Front Door Paint- Benjamin Moore <a href="http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/paint-products/advance-waterborne-interior-alkyd-paint" target="_blank">Advance High Gloss</a>, Black INT/EXT RM*</div>
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Front Door Hardware- <a href="http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/collections/adams-exterior-tubelatch-door-set-with-old-town-knob" target="_blank">Rejuvenation</a></div>
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Doorbell- <a href="http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/please-ring-doorbell-button" target="_blank">Rejuvenation</a> (wish I had a good picture- it's so cute!)</div>
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Planter Boxes- <a href="http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2014/05/diy-cedar-planter-box.html" target="_blank">DIY Tutorial</a>, with <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/BEHR-Premium-1-gal-SC-102-Slate-Solid-Color-Weatherproofing-All-In-One-Wood-Stain-and-Sealer-501301/204166088" target="_blank">Behr Weatherproofing Stain</a> color matched to <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ralph-Lauren-1-qt-Black-Basalt-Flat-Interior-Paint-RL1096-04F/205211333" target="_blank">Ralph Lauren Black Basalt</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=233091-42174-LR59BL&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3666568&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=rel&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1" target="_blank">Shutters</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008YQ4DX2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00" target="_blank">Lanterns</a></div>
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Barn Lights- <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_337508-76219-AAW1691AM_0__?productId=3822569" target="_blank">Lowes</a>, with <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_244425-90-239107___?productId=3728835&pl=1&Ntt=rust+oleum+spray+paint" target="_blank">Rust-Oleum Enamel Spray Paint</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_622800-75774-BPST19LED___?productId=50329579&pl=1&Ntt=feit+bulb" target="_blank">Light Bulbs</a></div>
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Garage Door- Mark Litavsky/ CHI (See <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/10/one-room-challenge-exterior-week-3.html">this post</a> for info)</div>
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Mailboxes- <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-Weathershield-4-in-x-4-in-Pressure-Treated-Southern-Pine-Finial-Ball-Top-Cedar-Tone-Post-Cap-163220/203982543" target="_blank">Post cap</a>, <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Gibraltar-Mailboxes-Elite-Standard-Galvanized-Steel-Post-Mount-Mailbox-in-Black-E1100B00/100004508" target="_blank">Mailboxes</a>, <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/The-Hillman-Group-1-in-Mylar-Letters-and-Numbers-Pack-842266/100205285" target="_blank">Numbers</a></div>
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*Note on the paint: I noticed well after it was on the doors that this stuff has a 60-day cure time and is actually an interior paint. Why the paint store recommended it for a front door, I'll never know. I'm willing to risk it because it's bananas gorgeous (and because, let's face it, I have no choice), but wait until next Spring before you run to the store so I can tell you how it really holds up! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFnpCe5tZVHu3KCeV3DSMY1ZwOXkhTQrEVOyEBQvICnyPfUv_TmUFDxYcKcNf-X5H4c8zmu0DD1BBvCcMGLOZacTCHlc-UcXzq3Sy2ad9ss1cq6c1oYNhlFI3hjrlTo2ROW55-ONHQ1k/s1600/ExteriorMakeover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFnpCe5tZVHu3KCeV3DSMY1ZwOXkhTQrEVOyEBQvICnyPfUv_TmUFDxYcKcNf-X5H4c8zmu0DD1BBvCcMGLOZacTCHlc-UcXzq3Sy2ad9ss1cq6c1oYNhlFI3hjrlTo2ROW55-ONHQ1k/s640/ExteriorMakeover.jpg" width="510" /></a></div>
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As for the budget, we came in at $5,100! I am so grateful to my wonderful in-laws for the gift that allowed this project to happen. Thank you thank you thank you! </div>
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And YOU. If you're reading this, you deserve a huge hug load of thanks for putting up with me, cheering me on, and sticking with me until the end. I sooo appreciate you. Can we stay friends now that its over? Talk to me on <a href="http://instagram.com/laurairion" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, ok? I love that.<br />
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<i>Update: It just snowed! Can I show you a few pics of how pretty the house looks covered in snow??</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NxCxa3bcwXx_YelPO359rT-mhp7BdmpJw1TYqekiY5tE2Yki_EWoWdaBIQTYQt4G7R4PA7JVfd4zmBC0E9b7_KAjxWTAaboi6u93SoPGutra2ekUl1asr9tfULjoKJXU56UTPlA49ao/s1600/IMG_1257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NxCxa3bcwXx_YelPO359rT-mhp7BdmpJw1TYqekiY5tE2Yki_EWoWdaBIQTYQt4G7R4PA7JVfd4zmBC0E9b7_KAjxWTAaboi6u93SoPGutra2ekUl1asr9tfULjoKJXU56UTPlA49ao/s640/IMG_1257.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsvgvisRJ_aQBPnM_NadOBgaD99LAKb2zdSKvKLqxKogpgP-43GDpJXscHXwdxkbaqy3ps31DxkNIkh1hsuk8KM6dvM-LWDOAMrwwzOK3blpISbDFVRQyLa-DahaK2D0j66wtWO3mdnc/s1600/IMG_1254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsvgvisRJ_aQBPnM_NadOBgaD99LAKb2zdSKvKLqxKogpgP-43GDpJXscHXwdxkbaqy3ps31DxkNIkh1hsuk8KM6dvM-LWDOAMrwwzOK3blpISbDFVRQyLa-DahaK2D0j66wtWO3mdnc/s640/IMG_1254.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>OK, thanks for indulging that. The first snow is always so magical! Back to our regularly scheduled post...</i><br />
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I absolutely have to thank <a href="http://www.callingithome.com/2015/11/one-room-challenge-guest-participants.html" target="_blank">Linda</a> for creating this challenge and so generously opening her blog to the scores of us who were crazy enough to take her up on it. That's definitely two rooms down in my house that wouldn't have been done without you Linda. (<a href="http://www.callingithome.com/2015/11/one-room-challenge-guest-participants.html" target="_blank">Go see what people have been up to</a>- they're all amazing!)<br />
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And finally, in the long list of shout-outs, the loudest has to be for my husband, Ryan, the brains and muscle behind this project, the best man I know, and the greatest mortal joy of my heart.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-43720086980265665582015-11-05T00:00:00.000-06:002015-11-05T00:00:01.100-06:00One Room Challenge // Exterior Week 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AVA9SJmLLJx2o-7ddxd6zghqMWs8SIeoAt_7f4nBoW4E9hfBJ0w6TPzzXTcfJ-41bMUcW1moeNowJnygKZE9g1EBnRPSYb_MymGTmMtqMdUmilgzvq1h4yltTWjTH7r2AXJ7otik8zM/s1600/ORC+Guest+Gold.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AVA9SJmLLJx2o-7ddxd6zghqMWs8SIeoAt_7f4nBoW4E9hfBJ0w6TPzzXTcfJ-41bMUcW1moeNowJnygKZE9g1EBnRPSYb_MymGTmMtqMdUmilgzvq1h4yltTWjTH7r2AXJ7otik8zM/s400/ORC+Guest+Gold.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Hey guys!<br />
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Well, it's Week 5 of the <a href="http://www.callingithome.com/" target="_blank">One Room Challenge</a>, and unfortunately, it's bad news bears around here. Not only am I NOT going to have a gorgeous <i><a href="http://www.finepaintsofeurope.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=39" target="_blank">Hollandlac Brilliant</a> </i>painted front door for the challenge end next Thursday, I'm not even going to have a <i>painted</i> front door, and it's probable I won't have a <i>new</i> front door at all!<br />
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The Hollandlac turned out to be delusions of grandeur (see <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/10/one-room-challenge-exterior-week-4.html" target="_blank">last week's post</a> if you have no idea what Hollandlac means). As if the 5+ day life-threatening painting process wasn't obstacle enough, the cost of the labor was almost as much as the door itself. And the darn Chicago weather won't allow it anyway.<br />
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Which it turns out is not only the case for the Hollandlac, but as I just learned, for <i>any</i> paint. I just hung up with J.C. Licht where I tried to order the <a href="http://us.farrow-ball.com/pws/Content.ice?page=full-gloss&pgForward=content&" target="_blank">Farrow & Ball Full Gloss</a> as a back up, and the guy told me the exterior painting window closed three weeks ago (duh lady). He said paint has to cure for at least 5 days with above 50 degree temps. Even our highs will be barely above 50 in another day.<br />
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I can't paint the door.<br />
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On the other hand, I also can't NOT paint it. After learning that I'd missed my weather window, I checked with Home Depot and the manufacturer requires the door be painted within 30 days of installation to protect it. I assume failure to comply will void the warranty / totally ruin the door forever.<br />
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I have to paint the door.<br />
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Not that I even have a door. Home Depot is apparently holding it hostage. The installers were supposed to call me Monday, and it's Thursday sooooo.....<br />
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I have no door.<br />
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Ryan thinks we should just wait until Spring to install the door. You know, be all pragmatic and practical. Paint it when the weather is nice, take our time and do it right, etc. etc. Ugh. I think we should set up a heated tent system around the perimeter of our house and turn it into Summer Land. You know, grow tropicals and wear shorts and never go past our driveway again.<br />
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Everything else on our to-do list has been annoyingly difficult, yet with mostly happy outcomes. I tried to have the driveway sealed, but again, we missed our weather window. So that money went to the mailbox. I am thrilled to report that we put fifty bucks into it and it now looks like a million. The old wood post was yucky and brown and growing some sort of fungus, and the mailboxes were rusted and generally disgusting.<br />
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We replaced the rotted piece of wood that held the boxes, added a decorative post cap, sanded the whole thing down, and gave it a coat of primer and a coat of exterior lacquer. Then we replaced the boxes with classic black. The neighbor across the street rang my bell to tell us how good it looks! It's crazy how those tiny changes can drastically up your curb appeal.<br />
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The outside lights I ordered turned out to be too small. I drove over an hour away to purchase a different style I liked online, then hated them when I saw them in person. I then purchased a larger barn light, but it needed to be spray painted dark (it's the <a href="http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10051&langId=-1&productId=50106276&partNumber=337508-43501-FS130125-30&storeId=10151&N=0&Ntt=" target="_blank">Lowes light</a> from my <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/10/one-room-challenge-exterior-week-2.html">mood board</a>- I didn't end up buying it originally because it looks like bronze or black but it's actually bright galvanized silver IRL). So now I'm waiting for the weather (YOU AGAIN!) to cooperate so we can finish spray painting them. Also after we started spray painting them, I read the can of paint and it said "not for use on galvanized metal." It kinda figures the one and only thing I can't use it on is what I just used it on.<br />
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At least our hoarding paid off and the Tuft & Needle box can now serve as our spray-paint sarcophagus.</div>
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We did have success with building planter boxes! We ended up buying cedar fence planks and using <a href="http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2014/05/diy-cedar-planter-box.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> as a jumping off point. They're gorgeous and I love them! I am so excited to get them planted. The only frustration there was my idiot move of not buying the inserts before we built the boxes. It would have been much better to build the boxes to fit the inserts, than to hit six stores trying to find inserts to fit the boxes (and having to drill out the posts of the boxes to shove them in there).<br />
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Doh!</div>
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The house numbers are gorgeous and I love them. They are also not installed yet because they are the worst kind of impossible to install. They require boring holes, caulking, gluing, taping, and surrender of your sanity.<br />
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Time change has been a peach. Ryan has been having a really fun time installing shutters on a ladder in the pitch dark. And wiring lights in the dark. And taking lights back down in the dark. And having no lights at all...in the dark.<br />
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I cleaned out our flower beds and got all the yucky dead stuff out and put down some more mulch. Now it looks really empty! And of course, we couldn't get any shrubs in before the weather turned. They wouldn't have made for much of a reveal anyway since they would have been barren sticks.<br />
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I'm certainly proud of the progress we have made. We're going to get a ton of stuff crossed off our exterior wish list, and the neighbors have been really impressed! But it bums me out to no end that I won't have a front door next week (and you KNOW I'm still holding out hope for an 11th hour miracle) since that was exactly half of the main objectives I set out to accomplish. I wish I could say I was excited to show the house to you, but without the front door I'm kinda meh to show it to you! Honesty in church. :) In any case, that is the beauty of this challenge. It's a reality show- you never know what's going to happen. We'll keep plugging along and see how this wraps up.<br />
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Off to visit the other brave soldiers of the ORC <a href="http://www.callingithome.com/" target="_blank">at Linda's</a>!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-17349636677041985432015-10-29T00:00:00.000-05:002015-10-29T02:12:28.434-05:00One Room Challenge // Exterior Week 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey friends! It's <a href="http://www.callingithome.com/2015/10/one-room-challenge-guest-participants_29.html" target="_blank">ORC Week 4</a>...I'm past the half way point (time-wise, not work-wise) on a curb-appeal project updating the exterior of our house on a budget of $5000. If you haven't been here before, you can visit <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/10/one-room-challenge-exterior-week-1.html" target="">the before tour</a> (eeewwww), <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/10/one-room-challenge-exterior-week-2.html" target="">the plan</a> (mmmmm), and <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/10/one-room-challenge-exterior-week-3.html" target="">the new garage door</a> (aaaaaahhhh) to catch up.<br />
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It's hard to describe how I'm feeling at this moment. I am equal parts World's Most Exhausted Woman, and World's Most Pampered and Relaxed Woman. Lately, I've been hustling on my to-do list. I'm in a season that's busy in a good way, and we were making great progress on this makeover. Great rhythm. So naturally, we hit the pause button and stole away to a resort in San Diego for 8 days.<br />
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<i>He was all like, "It's cold here, let's leave..."</i></div>
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So for the last week, instead of crossing off the endless tasks swirling in my head, I spent the vast majority of my waking hours here:<br />
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It was like the world's BEST prison. We were trucking when we left, and couldn't wait to get home and keep going. And then we got home and were like, "Why did we leave the beach again? Everything is dead here. I need another nap." PSA: October is not a good time (mentally) to vacation.<br />
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See how hard it is to recover from that?! Alright. Head back in the game. Here is where we are at in our ORC progress.<br />
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The new shutters arrived! All we have done is take them out of the box and hold them up to make sure they fit (whew!) so I can't really count that as "progress," but it does make you feel better to have them safe in the garage and out of the whims of the postal system.<br />
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Other arrivals during our trip were the exterior lights (love them) and a few pretty things for the porch. ;)<br />
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We decided to DIY our planter boxes, and they are a giant pain in the rear, but will be so worth the savings. (Says the woman who doesn't have to spend her Sunday afternoon cutting 88 planks of wood).<br />
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Hey, I'm helping a little bit with the gluing. That counts.<br />
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My biggest set-back so far, if only mentally, is that everything is nearly dead here now. When I left it was the high glory of fall, and now it's cold, rainy, grey, cold, brown, and gross. I went to the nursery, hoping to procure something lovely for our new planters and beds, something like this:<br />
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And it all just looks like this:<br />
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I managed to pluck the last few remnants of color from their selection, and I hope I'll have something alive to show off how beautiful these planters are going to be. It's not looking good so far.<br />
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Is it odd to anyone else that I live in a place where only cabbage can survive this time of year? What is that? When I got these home and set them in the planter box, they looked like a very weird British hat. Ugh! Where is my mom when I need her? I am terrible at plants.<br />
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The only other news I have is that I've been slightly freaking out about the front door. It is still on track to arrive at Home Depot on Friday the 30th (that's tomorrow, for my fellow people who "aren't good with the calendar.") Having never purchased a front door before, I don't know how long it takes for an installer to call you or how soon I can get it in. I was also freaking out because my door knobs from Rejuvenation hadn't shipped yet, because you can't really install a door without knobs, right? (Thankfully they are now on their way). The biggest problem, though, is that my heart has set itself on something called <a href="http://www.finepaintsofeurope.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=39#application" target="_blank">Hollandlac Brilliant</a>.<br />
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It's a specialty marine-grade ULTRA high gloss lacquer from Europe and the most glorious of all paints. The paint to end all paints. I came across it in <a href="http://interiorsforfamilies.com/2015/10/22/one-room-challenge-week-3-a-boring-color-goes-bold/" target="_blank">one of my fellow ORCer's blog post</a> (bless you sweet!) and it's EXACTLY the finish I have dreamed of. It's <i>just </i>like that iconic <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/history/10-downing-street" target="_blank">Door No. 10</a>.<br />
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What's the problem you ask? Heh, well, apparently no human can apply it. It has to be magically wished upon your door by a wounded unicorn youth. Seriously, I can't even begin to comprehend the instructions, so, OK, not a DIY. Also, it is some sort of hyper toxic blend of oil paint and finely ground particles, so you're supposed to have a wet floor in the painting area to act as a magnet for the paint fumes. WHA?! I mean, I get it, it's indestructible and they paint the sides of SHIPS with it and it's the PRETTIEST THING EVER, but let's just say I'm wildly intimidated.<br />
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I texted the link to my painter today and said, "Hi! Hope you are well. Are you able/ willing to work with this stuff?" (Code for "Hi! How about I pay you and you risk your life and well-being and sanity while we all leave the premises, so that I can have a very pretty front door? Would that be cool?") I haven't heard back yet.<br />
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Ryan, my super handy husband, was able to discipher the instructions somewhat, and thinks it could easily be a 5-day painting process. Again, for those of us who don't know how to work the calendar, that means it will be really tight-- even if I CAN coordinate all those moving parts-- to get it done in time for the November 12th end of this challenge.<br />
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And that's the progress summary! Be sure to <a href="http://www.callingithome.com/2015/10/one-room-challenge-guest-participants_29.html" target="_blank">visit the other crazies in this One Room Challenge</a> with me and see how their own personal crises are evolving. :) Until next week!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-34671915861192953452015-10-22T00:00:00.000-05:002015-10-22T02:13:57.930-05:00One Room Challenge // Exterior Week 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome back to the <a href="http://www.callingithome.com/2015/09/one-room-challenge-fall-2015.html">One Room Challenge hosted by sweet Linda of Calling It Home</a>. We are in Week 3 of an Exterior makeover, and I’m GIDDY to show you this past week’s progress. We have a new garage door!! And, let me tell ya, I never thought I could be this excited about a garage door.<br />
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Since I know a lot of you are paying attention because you're looking to tackle a similar project, I'm going to share the specifics of our shopping process and price comparisons. If you're just here for pretty-ish progress photos, you have my full and guilt-free permission to skip to the pics. :)<br />
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I wanted a carriage-style garage door, with a row of windows at the top, straps and hardware. Something similar to this:<br />
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<i>Source: <a href="http://www.mariannesimondesign.com/inspiration/2011/8/10/dream-home.html" target="_blank">Marianne Simon Design</a></i></div>
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We started with Home Depot. I went to the gal at the computers at the back of the store, near the garage door display. I didn't waste any time trying to piece together a configuration using their samples or pamphlets- way too confusing. We just built the door I wanted together in the computer.</div>
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For a high-quality carriage-style door with windows and hardware, including installation, Home Depot's price was $3600. (They were pricing <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/c/KH_DW_Clopay_Brand" target="_blank">Clopay</a> doors). Just for comparison, I had them price a mid-grade door with no windows. That was $1800. And then because I was so shocked, I asked them what the very cheapest garage door they had would cost. That was $800, but had no insulation or frills- basically a sheet of tin foil (their words, not mine). All these prices included installation.</div>
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Those prices were honestly depressing. But then someone mentioned that Menards had much better prices, so I went there and went through the same process. I was very encouraged when their Carriage House stamped steel garage door with windows and cute hardware came back at $1641. The brand was <a href="http://www.menards.com/main/c-13344.htm" target="_blank">Ideal</a>. However, Menards does not offer labor, so we were on our own to contact their recommended installers (or our own finds) for quotes.<br />
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We got 4 or 5 quotes, and most were around $500 for the installation. One guy came back at $250 for installation and we were thrilled. We wanted him to come over and measure for us and double check everything before we ordered, but he stood us up on the night he said he'd come. I guess you get what you pay for! Let's just say we didn't call to reschedule. :) </div>
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Another of the installers came and immediately warned us we shouldn't get a Menards garage door. He said it wouldn't fit because of the windows, and tried to sell us something out of the pamphlet he brought. He seemed pretty sketchy, and like he was just trying to sell us on his own product. We didn't call him back either.<br />
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After that, though, I did start to worry about Menards' quality, and I couldn't find tons of reviews online. Of the reviewers I found, most were fairly happy with their doors, but warned the doors were going to arrive scratched and damaged.<br />
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Unsure of what door would be best and what installer we could trust, we called a friend who works in the commercial garage door industry and he gave us a name.<br />
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Mark called back immediately, gave us a prompt quote, and answered all of our questions. He agreed that Menards quality was less than desirable, but was able to give us concrete reasons why. He quoted us the same style door as Menards but it was thicker with upgraded parts, and his price was $1640- INSTALLED. Even if he was trying to pull one over on us and Menards quality was just fine, Mark was way cheaper, so whatevs!</div>
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Mark ordered the door for us on a Monday morning and installed it Tuesday afternoon. He was awesome. (The door is from <a href="http://chiohd.com/" target="_blank">C.H.I. Overhead Doors</a> - <a href="http://www.chiohd.com/garage-doors/residential/carriage-house-stamped/5983" target="_blank">Style 5983</a>). His info. is in the card above- (he's been doing this 31 years all word of mouth, so he doesn't have a website)- and I'd highly recommend him to anyone in Chicago.</div>
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Now, would you like to see?! Here's a shot of the "before" to refresh your memory:<br />
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Here's about the moment Mark realized he was working for a weirdo who wouldn't stop taking pictures of him as he was piecing the door together:<br />
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And, goodbye old door! Here's the "after"...!</div>
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As Mark was finishing up, it was sunset, and the sun was hitting the front of our house, making the whole thing glow like burnished gold. It was like one of those moments in the movies where the clouds part and the sunrays beam down and the angel chorus goes “aaaaahhhhhhh” ...it was glorious!<br />
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I totally can’t believe how much it already changes the front of the house. The glass is so new and shiny, and even the <i>inside </i>of the garage is completely transformed. What was once a dark box with one tiny bulb is now a brightly lit and open-feeling space. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSc4efFOYzHHLtALC3jP5_lJu998vD3aPgHd8KSWbfN-rVr8KiwF4EAC_rIFRW-8ExBS6_OVdiS4dFniZJxX0YEOkayT6zFbHq9zOjX6KFWvNt9w7NXUG_ESgCoVmmKpSllaRb5AicNQ/s1600/IMG_8605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSc4efFOYzHHLtALC3jP5_lJu998vD3aPgHd8KSWbfN-rVr8KiwF4EAC_rIFRW-8ExBS6_OVdiS4dFniZJxX0YEOkayT6zFbHq9zOjX6KFWvNt9w7NXUG_ESgCoVmmKpSllaRb5AicNQ/s640/IMG_8605.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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(The downside of course is that now we can see how dirty it is, and that “organize the garage” just jumped up six spots on the priority list. Seriously- it’s so bad. And yes, that is the Tuft & Needle box from <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/05/one-room-challenge-bedroom-reveal.html" target="_blank">our last ORC</a> that we still haven’t thrown away. #hoarders).<br />
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Here's a look at the before & after side by side:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihE40hECOKk3ic5nzb54pSM5sOBN5aDAACar7B9GbXJeUy_x7N5G6hiuNVBeBN2SNMoeH0N-sofOQBWPnClHqZbj46cWyYqt7NKun8DOudfh_efiQsmuX0RV5JayFn-sBeLKaWOUNMjkk/s1600/IMG_8856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihE40hECOKk3ic5nzb54pSM5sOBN5aDAACar7B9GbXJeUy_x7N5G6hiuNVBeBN2SNMoeH0N-sofOQBWPnClHqZbj46cWyYqt7NKun8DOudfh_efiQsmuX0RV5JayFn-sBeLKaWOUNMjkk/s640/IMG_8856.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Other than the garage going in, we haven’t actually DONE anything else. We kinda hit the pause button, to ahem, go to San Diego for a week of vacation. Ha! Between this and my client installations over the next few weeks, this is going to leave us exactly two Sundays to do the work on the rest of the project. No biggie, right? I'm sure the weather will totally cooperate with that plan.<br />
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Wish us luck! Be sure to <a href="http://www.callingithome.com/2015/10/one-room-challenge-guest-participants_22.html" target="_blank">check out my fellow crazies on the ORC over at Linda’s</a>. I’m especially keeping an eye on <a href="http://christinedovey.com/2015/10/one-room-challenge-week-three-2/" target="_blank">Christine Dovey</a> (seriously like watching an edge of your seat movie...my heart races when I read her posts. Show up trusses!) and <a href="http://einteriors.design/one-room-challenge-update/" target="_blank">E-Interiors</a> (whose bedroom, even blank on Day One, was already eye candy).</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-5082480794403655472015-10-15T00:00:00.000-05:002015-10-15T05:57:39.600-05:00One Room Challenge // Exterior Week 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeH46ScSQWV-QXkkg5923sQrDcURQESRi69qQzGGF79Z0cV5xeVeNNpiQI1uZ9DuOh8n6zpnLOYF5TkRifHEvOqXdnFkkWU07qtULqW8C5YqSrBXbtASZxAj6VRyeBO__3MW3Yjp4BkI/s1600/ORC+Guest+Gold.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeH46ScSQWV-QXkkg5923sQrDcURQESRi69qQzGGF79Z0cV5xeVeNNpiQI1uZ9DuOh8n6zpnLOYF5TkRifHEvOqXdnFkkWU07qtULqW8C5YqSrBXbtASZxAj6VRyeBO__3MW3Yjp4BkI/s400/ORC+Guest+Gold.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Welcome to Week 2 of the One Room Challenge hosted by <a href="http://callingithome.com/" target="_blank">Linda of Calling It Home</a>! I'm excited to share the plans I have to update the exterior of our house on a strict budget of $5,000.<br />
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I've been trying to narrow down my "style" lately- which may be an exercise in futility for someone in my profession. (You mock, but <a href="http://pinterest.com/lauradesignco" target="_blank">see how easy it is for YOU to narrow down</a>...)! They are ALL my style. For my own home, I am realizing I lean somewhere in the Minimalist/ Modern Farmhouse realm. </div>
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As much as I would like tin roofing, an infinity pool and a horse stable on the property, let's just say it ain't that kind of neighborhood (and I ain't got that kind of money)! Especially on an exterior project, you have to choose updates that are in keeping with the surrounding homes (or at least within reach of them, if you want the neighbors to follow suit).</div>
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Here is what the house looks like today:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiSXIerI-KL4y3mm6Y4ZKG6xbZbN90hFzOwlEATfZtatyl5d7EgRxwDIGyW3Bz_WWgvJIFXrnKDTLONPXe_S1heiIppAiU-V_Y5J0TN3AZwS8dd7t8HrfRGgWXdkmIBtxr-5qwvkyb08/s1600/IMG_8260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiSXIerI-KL4y3mm6Y4ZKG6xbZbN90hFzOwlEATfZtatyl5d7EgRxwDIGyW3Bz_WWgvJIFXrnKDTLONPXe_S1heiIppAiU-V_Y5J0TN3AZwS8dd7t8HrfRGgWXdkmIBtxr-5qwvkyb08/s640/IMG_8260.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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My goal is to choose updates that are at once modern and classic, with a nod to the farmhouse style that I love.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1V65d8lHVy_XjxDiVxE-4p77Iejx3bVaQgVeyiiqryG_QylhNTRL2-aYk4nCpu6y4kCqLCmlpwhHOidYnv8x6HyoJV82nX8H4DoZJi_2xesAYK52I6rx2XSID4Q4m2nCNBFAhG5kk0Q/s1600/Untitled+design+%252852%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1V65d8lHVy_XjxDiVxE-4p77Iejx3bVaQgVeyiiqryG_QylhNTRL2-aYk4nCpu6y4kCqLCmlpwhHOidYnv8x6HyoJV82nX8H4DoZJi_2xesAYK52I6rx2XSID4Q4m2nCNBFAhG5kk0Q/s640/Untitled+design+%252852%2529.png" width="384" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/collections/adams-exterior-tubelatch-door-set-with-old-town-knob" target="_blank">Door Set</a> | <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/The-Hillman-Group-5-in-Elevated-Black-Number-1-843061/100546295" target="_blank">House Numbers</a> | <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_337508-43501-FS130125-30_1z0wb7j__?productId=50106276&pl=1" target="_blank">Lights</a> | <a href="https://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod6445860" target="_blank">Planters</a> | <a href="http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/please-ring-doorbell-button" target="_blank">Doorbell </a> | <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ralph-Lauren-1-qt-Black-Basalt-Hi-Gloss-Interior-Paint-RL1096-04H/205213121?keyword=black+basalt+exterior+paint" target="_blank"> Paint</a></i></div>
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Main Goals:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Garage Door</li>
<li>Front Door/ Door Handles</li>
<li>Shutters</li>
<li>Lights</li>
<li>House Numbers</li>
<li>Doorbell</li>
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Secondary Wish List:</div>
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<li>Planter Boxes</li>
<li>Shrubs Under Window</li>
<li>New Screens</li>
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Not Happening This Time But Needs To Happen:</div>
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<li>Mailbox & Post</li>
<li>Seal Driveway</li>
<li>Plant Beds</li>
<li>Mulch</li>
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Here is my rendering of "the plan" if all those things can be accomplished:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZnCpFO7s-82kWFhSsmbjhu9YwPUdoC4_2_Fhx8KalBq142SFVpCq2SXfCievgvbOQD6b4HBDRESgxn-CCJFMZ77ukD5p7QFfGnmVJItDRG2fSYTkgRvUVx5R60XCx3aU7MEL3yo-fUw/s1600/Untitled+design+%252851%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZnCpFO7s-82kWFhSsmbjhu9YwPUdoC4_2_Fhx8KalBq142SFVpCq2SXfCievgvbOQD6b4HBDRESgxn-CCJFMZ77ukD5p7QFfGnmVJItDRG2fSYTkgRvUVx5R60XCx3aU7MEL3yo-fUw/s640/Untitled+design+%252851%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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As for where we are currently:</div>
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<li>We have researched & ordered a garage door and front door. The garage door should be going in this week (yay!) now that we've found a new installer (good riddance). The front door won't arrive until Oct. 30th, after which we'll need to coordinate installation and painting. That makes me a tad nervous as it will be tight for our 11/12 deadline! I'll go into more detail on these purchases in the next couple weeks. </li>
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<li>I have ordered shutters, door handles and lights and they're on their way. (PSA: <a href="http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/categories/campaigns/get-guest-ready-porch-entry" target="_blank">Rejuvenation is having a front porch sale</a> - 30% off!)</li>
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<li>I have NO idea where to get inexpensive planter boxes- those lovelies in the mood board are almost $600 each. So yeah, no. Any suggestions? I keep stalking Home Goods. We found <a href="http://www.bowerpowerblog.com/2015/04/20-tall-planters/" target="_blank">this tutorial </a>but aren't sure if we have time to make our own, and the thickness of the wood seems suspect. I'm afraid they'll be warped by Spring thanks to our harsh Chicago weather.</li>
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<li>I know which hydrangeas I'd love to have for the front window, and we'll wait and see if there is room in the budget for them once the major purchases are complete. I know I'll have to get moving on this though, since the ground will be getting very COLD very soon. </li>
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<li>And get this! I happened to look up in the rafters of our basement this week (a scary place I don't usually look), and I saw a whole roll of window screening left by the previous owners! It even has instructions on the package for how to hang it. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8DiJ3erJQ0I0CwekoZZpsuhARpJJoJ-JVSowoEFyh-cgQ1CHBSizeH0IeeH9_e2FItNfdm8gwV5uhTPOBK5wUc1SWZTLQFTAvGMQWYA0Z4WOsh2JL7rFxj_qWACG6jH1zzIyVddUg5I/s1600/IMG_8545+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8DiJ3erJQ0I0CwekoZZpsuhARpJJoJ-JVSowoEFyh-cgQ1CHBSizeH0IeeH9_e2FItNfdm8gwV5uhTPOBK5wUc1SWZTLQFTAvGMQWYA0Z4WOsh2JL7rFxj_qWACG6jH1zzIyVddUg5I/s640/IMG_8545+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anyone need a hockey stick?<br />
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All in all, I think we're in really good shape. In case you missed it, you can catch up on <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/10/one-room-challenge-exterior-week-1.html" target="_blank">Week 1's exterior tour here</a>.</div>
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Also, be sure to <a href="http://www.callingithome.com/2015/10/one-room-challenge-guest-participants_15.html" target="_blank">stop by Linda's here and see what all the other participants are up to</a>. (And prepare to get lost for a while!)</div>
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See you guys next week!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-34047442903006541012015-10-08T00:00:00.000-05:002015-10-12T14:22:43.720-05:00One Room Challenge // Exterior // Week 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP76rY8W5O57yG1ObO0KNKsLmLnpmeElfo3vGcLDFl7ZrQ53Jo-l48u7Cu2DBr5azmr93l7i7OwItbLx2WrNErQ0iwXQyW1emdWNk9KsO0Ca2_rRduNoyzGiHaz2wya6QRZ_PbJXq03Pc/s1600/ORC+Guest+Gold.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP76rY8W5O57yG1ObO0KNKsLmLnpmeElfo3vGcLDFl7ZrQ53Jo-l48u7Cu2DBr5azmr93l7i7OwItbLx2WrNErQ0iwXQyW1emdWNk9KsO0Ca2_rRduNoyzGiHaz2wya6QRZ_PbJXq03Pc/s400/ORC+Guest+Gold.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Guess what? It's time again...the <a href="http://www.callingithome.com/2015/09/one-room-challenge-fall-2015.html" target="_blank">One Room Challenge hosted by Linda of Calling it Home</a>. Eep! Even though I've been looking forward to this event since <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/05/one-room-challenge-bedroom-reveal.html" target="_blank">the paint dried on my bedroom nightstand</a>, here it is, T-minus 6 hours, and I've only just decided to go for it.</div>
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People who regularly read this blog will be surprised, and also not surprised, to learn I'm not going to be finishing off our <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/07/powder-room-update.html" target="_blank">powder room</a> over the next six weeks. For reasons I can't explain because they're too depressing and too complicated, it's being drywalled over. Yep, the <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2014/11/panic-room.html" target="_blank">panic room</a> will soon be a closed and hollow chamber in the middle of our house that may or may not ever again see the light of day. I know.<br />
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Regrouping. The powder room (RIP) would have been the obvious choice for this challenge, but that's off the list. The list of Option B's is quite large. More rooms need help in this house than don't. Guest room? Front entry? Our bathroom? They all haunt me in my sleep, but I didn't want to pick-a-room-any-room just for the sake of blogging about it, and I definitely didn't have spare money lounging around for a big remodel. Trying to keep it real around here and all.<br />
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As I was mulling over what room I could realistically tackle on a budget, without too much of Ryan's help (don't worry, we're still happily married- I'm just trying to give him a break), that would be interesting enough to blog about, and that I would be capable of getting good "after" pictures of (no really, it's a problem), we happened to receive a gift so generous and humbling it makes me want to cry.<br />
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I don't really know how to write these next sentences. Let's just say that an unnamed familial benefactor is giving us $5000, and has specifically designated it for a new front door and garage door. On the one hand, it's kinda comical that my father-in-law (oops, I shouldn't have said that), finds our crumbling house so troublesome that he would send us a gift that outrageous. On the other hand, I'm so grateful and unspeakably blessed by it (and we need. them. so. badly.) that, well, yeah, like I said. I don't know how to write these sentences.<br />
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Will a simple Thank You suffice? I hope so, because there is so much more behind those two words than I could ever say.<br />
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So we were charged with updating the doors on the outside of the house. They're in mega-bad shape. After looking into prices, and picking myself up off the floor, it seemed like $5K was just right to cover it. It even seems like we can stretch it just a teeeeny bit further and replace the shutters as well, and a few smaller things, like the, um, shattered doorbell. Which, sidenote, I didn't realize was shattered until I was taking pictures for this post. #doorbellforthewin.<br />
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I thought, well, we're already planning on doing this, so maybe I should blog about it. Yer basic Curb Appeal / Stop Embarrassing the Neighbors Project.<br />
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Why did it take me until 6:52 pm the night before the ORC to commit to this? If I'm honest, fear.<br />
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I have a laundry list of fears about this project. That it'll be boring for my readers. That I won't get good reveal pictures. That people will think it was a waste of money. That people will judge my doorbell. That my choice of garage door won't be cool enough. That I can't get it done in time. That my minivan will be in the driveway for one of the pictures and you'll find out I drive a minivan. That I'm tackling things I know nothing about and therefore will totally fail at. That the weather will kill everything and that IF the weather allows me to finish the project, that my after pictures will be a house surrounded by dead brown stuff (actually this is less a fear and more a guarantee, given the end date of November 12th- it is NOT pretty here at that time of year...the only thing I could hope for is snow...)<br />
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You get the idea. Internet shame in all its glory. That is the risk here. I admit I had to emotionally vomit all over <a href="http://www.thebigrevealblog.com/" target="_blank">Grace</a> before I realized it boiled down to that one simple fear. What will people think of me? Well, it's a bad idea to have a blog if you're going to be worried about that.<br />
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So Man Up, This is Happening! It will unfold in real time, I'll be making it up as I go, I could fall on my face, and I super hope you follow along. Bring on the dancing girl emoji: I'm going to make over the front of my house.<br />
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And after all that, I know you're dying to see how bad it needs to happen!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHKz3-vTViHFZVaKc07z_mpzFRqmNmrnlSTT3fL4aFU-BA3m96nAcsM93ZPjBuPkKHsBoVzg1SI9yVkfgoN9Qd6WsJ6SdP1edeyOa3Qip3ENWofwbDQwTK98UtEg0xsQUpLW_siyCv5A/s1600/IMG_8094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHKz3-vTViHFZVaKc07z_mpzFRqmNmrnlSTT3fL4aFU-BA3m96nAcsM93ZPjBuPkKHsBoVzg1SI9yVkfgoN9Qd6WsJ6SdP1edeyOa3Qip3ENWofwbDQwTK98UtEg0xsQUpLW_siyCv5A/s640/IMG_8094.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Welcome to our home, dear friends! I tried to take as bad a picture as possible to help those reveal pictures look better in the end. :) Believe it or not, it actually looks much better than when we moved in. There used to be a giant brick of an evergreen bush in front of the window on the left, which we called the meatloaf bush. We added the magnolia tree on the right - it replaced a creepy shrine of some sort. This summer we carved out all the landscape beds and put down mulch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinZ1MG2z7AGH_IVfyiEKJC1QLff44mG5GA8SIZkzqKtXp1Ztmg7IAMdgxF5WKgObVQVyo0pkhhwaNZiu29up9nzKm_MajnrjUqRWtW8avprIHLTEevB98-3G7MPND1uEzaEqaF0b0Ats/s1600/IMG_8087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinZ1MG2z7AGH_IVfyiEKJC1QLff44mG5GA8SIZkzqKtXp1Ztmg7IAMdgxF5WKgObVQVyo0pkhhwaNZiu29up9nzKm_MajnrjUqRWtW8avprIHLTEevB98-3G7MPND1uEzaEqaF0b0Ats/s640/IMG_8087.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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And there are the front doors. The gap in between them is so wide when they are closed, that you can actually see through it. That's not toasty in winter. The doorknob barely works. Even we are confused as to when or how it is locked, and guests are totally unable to leave the house without our assistance. Kinda cool if you're Kathy Bates...not so much for normal social affairs.<br />
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Also, I can't help these plants. I have the blackest of all black thumbs (<a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/08/diy-summer-school-sprayed-gold-leaves.html" target="_blank">remember</a>?) so I'm giving myself the grace to NOT worry about the landscaping for this project. Would I like to have beautifully manicured shrubs planted and appropriately pruned sedum and mulch without weeds on Reveal Day? Of course. But that's a pipe dream my friends. That part is going to wait for Spring when I can enlist my mom (who, ironically for her plant-killing daughter, had a career in landscape design) to come visit and help me with all that stuff.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvj4koLDZ8RD75nucNh9hAkl5-kHYgckIBqXZDEEhDQK-Iijt1r0vLQkq4xVcHZNn5JeNqeXPxBvUjLCLdXb3RPvBxmvZRlzm8PI2yzpXunTiF-Wir7iThEITwlikDo6e3JJjUlbygto/s1600/IMG_8088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvj4koLDZ8RD75nucNh9hAkl5-kHYgckIBqXZDEEhDQK-Iijt1r0vLQkq4xVcHZNn5JeNqeXPxBvUjLCLdXb3RPvBxmvZRlzm8PI2yzpXunTiF-Wir7iThEITwlikDo6e3JJjUlbygto/s640/IMG_8088.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Who knows how many poor guests have been sliced by that thing?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUoOW3q0p3XO1vGyKpER8EwMJ9IP8z1ZFDkNooq7Cepe5nGAGRV47SCpMKPqP57r2dhLqj9X-QbIQXLi62Vr3ckm2fo2DWEBlKnN-yz62R7ttmR2_tR3-s2qQ4iW9OYxAgS8t67lFGdc/s1600/IMG_8089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUoOW3q0p3XO1vGyKpER8EwMJ9IP8z1ZFDkNooq7Cepe5nGAGRV47SCpMKPqP57r2dhLqj9X-QbIQXLi62Vr3ckm2fo2DWEBlKnN-yz62R7ttmR2_tR3-s2qQ4iW9OYxAgS8t67lFGdc/s640/IMG_8089.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's a look at the window screens. The bad news is, the multiple thrash wounds they seem to have suffered give insects free licence to hang out in our house. The good news is, the windows are so old they barely open wide enough for it to be a problem.<br />
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And the shutters....bent, dirty, yuk. And where I am normally a big fan of white, I don't think white shutters are doing anything for the look of this house.<br />
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Continuing our walk of shame, here's a close-up of the garage door...<br />
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It's not too noticeable from far back, but up close it's clear this thing is on its last legs. I don't know if its insulated or not, but I don't really think so. In the winter, the mudroom off the garage is so cold, we just call it the cold room.</div>
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The lights hang crookedly and are generally decrepit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtaneUqccyD5Yy1dWnogWkPwcZBPGioFHXILQsRoiUgFyOX9o8WXrBqt9qLYoCjt2Q4XtoPEUbCDG56Y_BI8-_addGY5vwLlWjHSIkGIFF4sI5D1qGcY9twHENtrvNKwCvPTOMMjHdKSU/s1600/IMG_8083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtaneUqccyD5Yy1dWnogWkPwcZBPGioFHXILQsRoiUgFyOX9o8WXrBqt9qLYoCjt2Q4XtoPEUbCDG56Y_BI8-_addGY5vwLlWjHSIkGIFF4sI5D1qGcY9twHENtrvNKwCvPTOMMjHdKSU/s640/IMG_8083.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The house numbers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DgJHwvznXUxtjtzGXju7n-RWziaNPMC4utY4yp9Oxoli1JW1AiNB60TFAcbhkxeYu3z0kBTKcJNaMbVv-sFd6OSGoo-HncR9fmBPl_J_4fZciEi06ake6-B0Psq3vdy3YllVhyS9_tw/s1600/IMG_8082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DgJHwvznXUxtjtzGXju7n-RWziaNPMC4utY4yp9Oxoli1JW1AiNB60TFAcbhkxeYu3z0kBTKcJNaMbVv-sFd6OSGoo-HncR9fmBPl_J_4fZciEi06ake6-B0Psq3vdy3YllVhyS9_tw/s640/IMG_8082.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Ah, I love the smell of corrosion in the morning. Bonus challenge with these. IF they can be removed, there will be a rusty stained outline of them leftover. They're not mounted on wood, but on vinyl. So how do you cover up the marks they'll leave behind? Can you just paint that?</div>
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Well, that's the house. All I know is that I want a carriage-style garage door, and a black front door. Ever since Kate & Will's engagement was announced in front of that beautiful door at No. 10 Downing Street I've neeeeeeded a black front door.</div>
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I'll refrain from divulging more plan details until next week, but I do have our first project update! As I wrote this over the course of tonight, the garage installer we hoped to work with stood us up. Ryan asked him if he could please swing by tonight to help us figure out if we were planning to order the right thing. He said he would. We waited all night (instead of running the pressing errands I had), and Ryan finally texted, "Are you still planning to stop by tonight?" after 9 o'clock. And the full content of his response was "No."<br />
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COOL.<br />
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Aw yeah, this is going to be fun. Until next week my loves!!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-75036621295575806432015-09-22T01:03:00.000-05:002015-09-22T01:08:53.674-05:00Renegade Craft Fair // Chicago <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1EF-S8kgrQ0zHIN7Ex2hnVfwtTqULsYNjmtQz31u8GhPXMBr0mgagn-myzZPn7hjMBcLV9PO4Wc2YjwIssrXgU29a0ElGCjt4Z-D1kUsVE1njwghlZnrDcSw5CoEyYrXsXIvZWEo5HU/s1600/WisteriaYaoChengDesign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1EF-S8kgrQ0zHIN7Ex2hnVfwtTqULsYNjmtQz31u8GhPXMBr0mgagn-myzZPn7hjMBcLV9PO4Wc2YjwIssrXgU29a0ElGCjt4Z-D1kUsVE1njwghlZnrDcSw5CoEyYrXsXIvZWEo5HU/s400/WisteriaYaoChengDesign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This weekend, I went to the <a href="http://www.renegadecraft.com/" target="_blank">Renegade Craft Fair</a> for the second year in a row. I celebrated the anniversary of my first date with Kyla from <a href="http://houseofhipsters.com/" target="_blank">House of Hipsters</a> (remember <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2014/09/renegade-craft-fair-chicago.html" target="_blank">last year</a>?) and I coaxed Grace from <a href="http://thebigrevealblog.com/" target="_blank">The Big Reveal</a> into coming to Chicago to join us, woohoo! I also found out that two girls from my bible study sneak downtown every year untethered by telling everyone they're going to a "craft fair," which sounds like a seriously repugnant way to spend a day. Genius. We totally bombed their date and I enjoyed every minute of their company, but to preserve their secret I will leave them unnamed here. Suffice to say, with gorgeous weather, great friends, and Instagram-candy abounding, I had the best time ever.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrC2S1GsDOQ52BQRsD1ajWGnyoWn-HJ6xH_t67tpx00PAdvaHmp4WfhemtWg_PqpOrCN-MUfRxCKibzbuoF0t91qx__gmiVSJuZvsSapogL_JWtmTLKnZsIaIs-tzO-Zu_wmn5NVAYkqQ/s1600/RENEGADECRAFT+FAIRCHICAGO+-+Edited+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrC2S1GsDOQ52BQRsD1ajWGnyoWn-HJ6xH_t67tpx00PAdvaHmp4WfhemtWg_PqpOrCN-MUfRxCKibzbuoF0t91qx__gmiVSJuZvsSapogL_JWtmTLKnZsIaIs-tzO-Zu_wmn5NVAYkqQ/s640/RENEGADECRAFT+FAIRCHICAGO+-+Edited+%25281%2529.png" width="407" /></a></div>
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I can't wait to give you the scoop! (And unlike last year when I was, for the most part, so shy all I could do was sneak pictures and steal business cards and hope the makers didn't notice, I actually mustered the courage to TALK to these sweet people this year. Oh my goodness, shyness makes you miss out on the world! They were ALL so lovely. I felt like I left with a hundred new friends).<br />
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Now. Since I know you're all drooling over the wall hanging in that header photo, we'll just start with her- it's the <a href="http://failjewelry.com/collections/home-1/products/5-strand-mobile?variant=5171702468" target="_blank">5-Strand Mobile</a> by <a href="http://failjewelry.com/" target="_blank">fail</a>. Absolutely positively stunning, and her jewelry was equally perfect.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQ1iTN5C8Ru4eMV6kT-OlbJRHzBDN7365iRpiz-PkdCfg5NwOyyibPXG_0pPQI9vsVJb53Z_Mrq1P_VJwjYojmrmOxZn-oFmgEMbpD456SGoCNcj9N6FP0OqBMAEYow9MDHhn60cBkC4/s1600/IMG_7001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQ1iTN5C8Ru4eMV6kT-OlbJRHzBDN7365iRpiz-PkdCfg5NwOyyibPXG_0pPQI9vsVJb53Z_Mrq1P_VJwjYojmrmOxZn-oFmgEMbpD456SGoCNcj9N6FP0OqBMAEYow9MDHhn60cBkC4/s640/IMG_7001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Also unlike last year, I knew better than to hope I'd get through this thing in two hours. Bound and determined to see every. last. booth, and in spite of certain distractions like Tacos-in-a-Bag, girl-crying on curbs, over-consumption of coffee, small bladders, and total lack of morning time-management, we made it to ALL of them, crossing the finish line at exactly 10 minutes after every maker had a well-deserved beer in hand. Due to this proud accomplishment and the ensuing brain glaze that comes from seeing too much good stuff in too short of a time, I can't chronicle the day with any sense of order like I did last time.<br />
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All that to say, here are pretty things I saw, in rapid succession and no particular order:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-0Mq9k5U7WSRxMDtbDXyY4jt0G52JBZSY70iRnTFHdZWi52wtPIeETwGWJyLXwDr_XtsMma_sFqu7zjshAaM3eEgc3ijo7dWbmwoDdjSKvuV4USgY1NSU5P-9JhKlUIePYpEhso3sEQ/s1600/IMG_7009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-0Mq9k5U7WSRxMDtbDXyY4jt0G52JBZSY70iRnTFHdZWi52wtPIeETwGWJyLXwDr_XtsMma_sFqu7zjshAaM3eEgc3ijo7dWbmwoDdjSKvuV4USgY1NSU5P-9JhKlUIePYpEhso3sEQ/s640/IMG_7009.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Loved the yummy stuff from <a href="http://www.thegoodhippie.com/home/" target="_blank">The Good Hippie</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YLycn8-ot31JYldRKo12_mU7wIJgMyiRSf_e-x7M1J07fdWbdMnsSc5u7L3os5ea2Tx1790Vnj9Vd53AM9jADwiS0f9BAEV7LG_b_Qk2ehX12HPmv2aAe88LRagwoCn59UjEWYZ2-d0/s1600/IMG_7008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YLycn8-ot31JYldRKo12_mU7wIJgMyiRSf_e-x7M1J07fdWbdMnsSc5u7L3os5ea2Tx1790Vnj9Vd53AM9jADwiS0f9BAEV7LG_b_Qk2ehX12HPmv2aAe88LRagwoCn59UjEWYZ2-d0/s640/IMG_7008.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
My money is on the <a href="http://www.detroitcardco.com/" target="_blank">Detroit Card Co</a>. to be the next Anna Rifle Bond, especially for her "<a href="http://www.detroitcardco.com/shop/art-print-be-kind-even-to-mean-people?category=8x10+Prints" target="_blank">Be Kind</a>" print and clever greeting cards.<br />
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{This year's Perfect Mani Award goes to <a href="http://thebigrevealblog.com/" target="_blank">Grace</a>.}</div>
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Great styling and yummy smelling boy stuff at <a href="http://odouds.us/" target="_blank">O'Douds</a>.</div>
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Simple, graphic prints from <a href="http://www.seanmort.com/" target="_blank">Sean Mort</a> (a really super nice guy).</div>
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Cute banners and pennants at <a href="http://www.littleskunk.com/" target="_blank">Little Skunk Co</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm-GdqU3pGLPwb_pyiXeL99ASYHCXDeTEjnALSvsBBy_JcTw3cG4FQi25zvuNOYAcFkt9cRVUE3VFjHn2DCp1DyjhyphenhyphenhjWnKeHLY2mtfLaG9SHL13EkyF6tg0RLsgfKO65WtNynyUwzXg/s1600/IMG_6996+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm-GdqU3pGLPwb_pyiXeL99ASYHCXDeTEjnALSvsBBy_JcTw3cG4FQi25zvuNOYAcFkt9cRVUE3VFjHn2DCp1DyjhyphenhyphenhjWnKeHLY2mtfLaG9SHL13EkyF6tg0RLsgfKO65WtNynyUwzXg/s640/IMG_6996+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoaK5cHiHehPJ7JFBxduAZtIGXaWdWVQaNR5HxnMJP6eCpqCpbATVD2hAn61M4EeJA2GVfel_p2E-lxEPWKGKt18WVTZ5w5_dKWatHzP4pi8UY1_jwoUkT80_wlKDdItOo8SsgQceqt4/s1600/IMG_6995+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoaK5cHiHehPJ7JFBxduAZtIGXaWdWVQaNR5HxnMJP6eCpqCpbATVD2hAn61M4EeJA2GVfel_p2E-lxEPWKGKt18WVTZ5w5_dKWatHzP4pi8UY1_jwoUkT80_wlKDdItOo8SsgQceqt4/s640/IMG_6995+%25281%2529.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
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A charming <a href="http://www.louisedeandesign.com/papergoods/flamingo" target="_blank">flamingo print</a> and zipper clutch at <a href="http://www.louisedeandesign.com/" target="_blank">Louise Dean Design</a>.</div>
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Whimsical animal prints by <a href="http://www.cwdrawings.com/" target="_blank">CW Drawings</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonXbeGTGDncViLHGmAPl6-cpYk0a5Gyy8XHjhsG90CUKfYYYOGP_rkQmiHzC6s37HbIT7f-ckS2-pQDVYDANeVhUzlKMrW_CbVQoANaR667_fK0L7nVty4tYfm2PhCNau8Ur97k3ryI4/s1600/IMG_6993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonXbeGTGDncViLHGmAPl6-cpYk0a5Gyy8XHjhsG90CUKfYYYOGP_rkQmiHzC6s37HbIT7f-ckS2-pQDVYDANeVhUzlKMrW_CbVQoANaR667_fK0L7nVty4tYfm2PhCNau8Ur97k3ryI4/s640/IMG_6993.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Candles should have cool labels and delicious smells. Check and check at <a href="http://www.detroitrosecandleco.com/" target="_blank">Detroit Rose Candle Co</a>.</div>
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I'm kicking myself for not buying these prints from <a href="http://stayhomeclub.com/" target="_blank">Stay Home Club</a>. </div>
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This plywood art would look great in my boys' room. By <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/plyshop" target="_blank">Ply</a>.</div>
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I was stopped in my tracks by the artwork on these tea towels, at my favorite booth of the fair: <a href="http://www.yaochengdesign.com/" target="_blank">Yao Cheng Design</a>. </div>
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I felt like I could just swim in this <a href="http://www.yaochengdesign.com/shop/prints/wisteria-in-indigo" target="_blank">Wisteria print</a>.</div>
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I took way too many pictures of her booth but it was kinda like standing in a dream, so it had to be done.<br />
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Delicate gold jewelry and a fun wall hanging at <a href="http://citiesindustjewelry.com/" target="_blank">Cities in Dust Jewelry</a>.</div>
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This one was great fun- I found Aron, of <a href="http://facturegoods.com/">Facture Goods</a>, through our Instagram hashtag <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/p/found-foraged.html">#foundforaged</a> - so it was super cool to meet him and see his work in person.<br />
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Here was another great stop- Rebecca from <a href="http://www.shopterritorydesign.com/">Territory</a> and Emily from <a href="http://www.mayamueble.com/">Maya Mueble</a> had piles of textiles and swoon-worthy home goods (such as <a href="http://www.mayamueble.com/manta-blanket-blue/">this blanket</a>, be still my heart). And they are like, THE sweetest women.<br />
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I could not resist coming home with this <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/248106081/2016-girls-calendar?ref=shop_home_active_4" target="_blank">calendar</a> for my daughter, from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/hillarybird" target="_blank">Hillary Bird Illustration</a>.</div>
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Camping essentials like wood coasters and hipster pennants at <a href="http://camphunt.co/index.html/index.html" target="_blank">Camp Hunt Co.</a></div>
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Cozy flannel scarves at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/in-en/shop/TuckerandScout" target="_blank">Tucker & Scout</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5acVdArxJetDaykZ6LtG9_yuoQ1sk-Ainm6kvHI_nUhUfVZF_J7Od8OqQNc_VIbtMPMcGx0N-HxkXGtZorxRxKH5vHMXQCwcyyg0h-toIrWlprIzP37_hBCq0gOnzIM2iz-vbJSPm-7Y/s1600/IMG_7139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5acVdArxJetDaykZ6LtG9_yuoQ1sk-Ainm6kvHI_nUhUfVZF_J7Od8OqQNc_VIbtMPMcGx0N-HxkXGtZorxRxKH5vHMXQCwcyyg0h-toIrWlprIzP37_hBCq0gOnzIM2iz-vbJSPm-7Y/s640/IMG_7139.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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I snagged this <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/214614735/octopus-vulgaris-original-screeprint?ref=shop_home_feat_1" target="_blank">Octopus Print</a> by <a href="http://etsy.com/shop/repeaterprinting" target="_blank">Repeater Printing</a>, thinking it will be great against the navy walls in my guest room. The artist, Jason O'Grady, shared a booth with <a href="http://bcprintmedia.com/" target="_blank">his brother</a> and they were both awesome.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nrPfzXvmFsebNfmtxk1eKJUVzIZaJol_cPXnMSLj5WajwkS0e2P2cEpull4U-PSDsUePF9_rDj_cXHwun4RCjPkFWw_Chd2pQQNHV35RcvWvJoQpyUavLPLlu26ovq_Xq51eIZcpyfI/s1600/IMG_6973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nrPfzXvmFsebNfmtxk1eKJUVzIZaJol_cPXnMSLj5WajwkS0e2P2cEpull4U-PSDsUePF9_rDj_cXHwun4RCjPkFWw_Chd2pQQNHV35RcvWvJoQpyUavLPLlu26ovq_Xq51eIZcpyfI/s640/IMG_6973.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Grace and I were drawn in by the packaging on these soaps at <a href="http://changesoap.com/" target="_blank">Change Soap Co</a>., but came away with a new BFF in creator/ designer Tina Ersig. She was so kind and fun (I'm sorry I'm saying that about all of them, but it's true!), and whatever oil (I think it was <a href="http://www.changesoap.com/#!product/prd1/2510937101/radiant-organic-body-moisturizing-serum." target="_blank">this one</a>) she put on my hands is still making them soft days later.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsKrHYAQq7j0YcMpKbtbHyb0BqnWkksa72ixjlQgxUHmpiUtgMEgmWeqeVT2vxmqMQBISUm5EwEpg9YOh67CIWDM1LxzCCkKWCNT7Xl6NTXzgM_wdgbJNwPghfFdUmp0OC_qZeNRfYxE/s1600/IMG_6975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsKrHYAQq7j0YcMpKbtbHyb0BqnWkksa72ixjlQgxUHmpiUtgMEgmWeqeVT2vxmqMQBISUm5EwEpg9YOh67CIWDM1LxzCCkKWCNT7Xl6NTXzgM_wdgbJNwPghfFdUmp0OC_qZeNRfYxE/s640/IMG_6975.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://pegandawlbuilt.com/" target="_blank">Peg + Awl</a> had GORGEOUS bags. In addition to their leather, I was obsessed with the <a href="http://pegandawlbuilt.com/products/waxed-canvas-tote-coal-antique-military-leather-antique-fabric?variant=142887032" target="_blank">canvas bags</a> that came in a perfect indigo hue.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxG1T03T5DL9LgVJuFjiKh2CFW572oGNaGLW1ypMEaYG9-LL1B-CVRPz1SMmdJm4iTCHvCmRGf7iaYO1G6YAgTW9a2mS6YyiF5FGab0GxWj446vheYfuEzCU10sG7HFWn001eXBI6FcM/s1600/IMG_6976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxG1T03T5DL9LgVJuFjiKh2CFW572oGNaGLW1ypMEaYG9-LL1B-CVRPz1SMmdJm4iTCHvCmRGf7iaYO1G6YAgTW9a2mS6YyiF5FGab0GxWj446vheYfuEzCU10sG7HFWn001eXBI6FcM/s640/IMG_6976.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Cool maps and city-specific prints at <a href="http://mrcityprinting.com/" target="_blank">Mr City Printing</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnga4kS-GComo1RdqRDZ3wOO0tzwRQTiWp21O225eDd9slnneRHI2CsI-d_cB5rGPHFRSveQISrasA7GORVadrwTNMtqEP3YOl9QiyrJblo7G-csWLAnvFXpNlpvhXpR9VHM9lqtxw3Tc/s1600/IMG_6977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnga4kS-GComo1RdqRDZ3wOO0tzwRQTiWp21O225eDd9slnneRHI2CsI-d_cB5rGPHFRSveQISrasA7GORVadrwTNMtqEP3YOl9QiyrJblo7G-csWLAnvFXpNlpvhXpR9VHM9lqtxw3Tc/s640/IMG_6977.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Should we talk about how badly I want both of these for the playroom? Probably not. Illustrated maps by <a href="http://monorailstudio.com/collections/prints" target="_blank">Monorail Studio</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMp8P_4dS_wDp3BCUs44YO6NkDK3VqVOwyMWRNAx4EEFYcmAqAYfK8i3Z3lk-Ql3p_aMHEOCFyFJkkmFtYI3OIkXg1zJxitgDVuZeD2cFRZEVpRq9v9UYshVG3WBuTypFi4IKe9FO4k1I/s1600/IMG_6978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMp8P_4dS_wDp3BCUs44YO6NkDK3VqVOwyMWRNAx4EEFYcmAqAYfK8i3Z3lk-Ql3p_aMHEOCFyFJkkmFtYI3OIkXg1zJxitgDVuZeD2cFRZEVpRq9v9UYshVG3WBuTypFi4IKe9FO4k1I/s640/IMG_6978.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I have a slight dish towel problem, and have banned myself from buying any more. Like, ever. But oh this one...surely I should make an exception. <a href="http://www.littleminnowdesigns.com/homegoods/tea-towel-chambray-criss-cross" target="_blank">Navy Chambray Criss-Cross by Little Minnow</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPKlM3jfBdxIMmNnyKevycJ8bPPHvdkGNdqHr2XsB03_KO0e36R7MG9r3DE_qJ7b0KCsQb73umdoiAeXzQISttHpFFgK2QssORF5QTq99aTdsx7Jjo6u4_gi_9k86mSbVcPYUvUBYygk/s1600/IMG_6982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPKlM3jfBdxIMmNnyKevycJ8bPPHvdkGNdqHr2XsB03_KO0e36R7MG9r3DE_qJ7b0KCsQb73umdoiAeXzQISttHpFFgK2QssORF5QTq99aTdsx7Jjo6u4_gi_9k86mSbVcPYUvUBYygk/s640/IMG_6982.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Marbled blue & white porcelain at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LeahBall" target="_blank">Leah Ball</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhslCiNAbeqSCnW3j4kfbsMopaQiMUEMe9d-C9VycXvQ8UL6RdtD3fokguCs_gasp7-JsMCKlbOn2Bn5uw1ed2W0HNUq3IS2cYlu6T4p9uAqmIEE4uaOYuzx81iVfR-XAgll2X0Akx9s/s1600/IMG_6964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhslCiNAbeqSCnW3j4kfbsMopaQiMUEMe9d-C9VycXvQ8UL6RdtD3fokguCs_gasp7-JsMCKlbOn2Bn5uw1ed2W0HNUq3IS2cYlu6T4p9uAqmIEE4uaOYuzx81iVfR-XAgll2X0Akx9s/s640/IMG_6964.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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This guy. He was so dear! I am sad I didn't have his great smile in my camera roll at the end of the day. Is that weird? <a href="http://419tradingco.com/" target="_blank">419 Trading Co.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbATtaynFyVbyKZGrB8mAKweuLItIxWZXD5rLQ4UJFh_0J3ZQU3TUg-KSwRzOP5WDfyPuvtRGDOKkY0WQIlOe6P1rvRUks88CrNJesjLaiQCIawRvVBL8Tz8_WP1q5GEvLQxskGum1lw/s1600/IMG_6985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbATtaynFyVbyKZGrB8mAKweuLItIxWZXD5rLQ4UJFh_0J3ZQU3TUg-KSwRzOP5WDfyPuvtRGDOKkY0WQIlOe6P1rvRUks88CrNJesjLaiQCIawRvVBL8Tz8_WP1q5GEvLQxskGum1lw/s640/IMG_6985.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The darlings at <a href="http://www.fountleather.com/" target="_blank">FOUNT</a> have my heart, as do their bags. I have the privilege of owning their <a href="http://www.fountleather.com/the-bellfield-tote/the-bellfield-tote-in-vintage-milled-cocoa" target="_blank">Bellfield Tote</a>, and the quality is outstanding.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXScHLCuzVi3n1cPAWlWtZVT_B3omv3NMNBx6SQIVXJbXzPXHsXEuUB24czioBEtjVRPYvTrWyGpKGe_i_eOeMPBPY92KCteghV_ocDzi8TQYCikHP3pxt7tQ2QyIgbkjYO5C9qYPWGOg/s1600/IMG_7140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXScHLCuzVi3n1cPAWlWtZVT_B3omv3NMNBx6SQIVXJbXzPXHsXEuUB24czioBEtjVRPYvTrWyGpKGe_i_eOeMPBPY92KCteghV_ocDzi8TQYCikHP3pxt7tQ2QyIgbkjYO5C9qYPWGOg/s640/IMG_7140.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And there you have it! A very condensed version of a shopping marathon so robust it was definitely the only exercise I'll need for at least the next 3 months. <br />
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Congratulations to all the amazing artists and talented makers who carted their wares to Chicago and worked so hard to make this the grand day that it was- and, at the risk of sounding like <a href="https://instagram.com/socalitybarbie/" target="_blank">Socality Barbie</a>- for sharing a piece of yourselves- it is a brave thing to do.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-8670443037258090942015-09-08T06:55:00.000-05:002015-09-08T06:55:22.620-05:00time tracking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1D5iyelkFA9sZG-OqV_tSKlf3NDR5tVMEWIKUe6QzD5ZSJXmYHoJxZsupmvrQkdlqFkU0P6Yl5DvXA4J-JwY6e_xLYO5uWE_DIDo-FSIUQi0AWh0acD4-fYDOh9VrdsObJkJ1rpU0J5A/s1600/IMG_6557+-+Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1D5iyelkFA9sZG-OqV_tSKlf3NDR5tVMEWIKUe6QzD5ZSJXmYHoJxZsupmvrQkdlqFkU0P6Yl5DvXA4J-JwY6e_xLYO5uWE_DIDo-FSIUQi0AWh0acD4-fYDOh9VrdsObJkJ1rpU0J5A/s400/IMG_6557+-+Edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's the start of a new school year. Back to routine, back to structure...homework, pencils, alarm clocks...homework... I don't know about you, but I am excited for a new season and getting back to some routines. I thought a post about organization might be timely, no?<br />
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This particular back-to-school time is new territory for me, because I now send off TWO of my three kids to school in the morning. This means that I am no longer a homeschooler, and it also means that my youngest, a 3-year-old, is home alone with me. So I'm navigating some pretty major life changes:<br />
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1) I've never been alone all day with a kid this age. By the time his older siblings were 3, there was always a new baby to distract and amuse us. (I've also never been alone with a kid who has just lost his two best friends to school, leaving me as his sole playmate). Um, what do I do with him all day every day??<br />
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I thought we'd start off by seeing if we could learn all the US Presidents in order. So far, no...but we <i>are </i>pretty good at laying down and taking selfies.<br />
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2) I'm a <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/05/new-beginnings-laura-design-company.html" target="_blank">business owner</a>. Even though that baby is a whopping six months old, of course it still feels brand new. And even though work has been wonderfully steady, I'm still figuring out the best times of day to, er, work! How do I carve out time for that when I'm doing whatever you do with a 3-year-old kid all day every day??<br />
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That one's not styled, by the way, can you believe it? I just happen to have a job that creates very pretty messes...<br />
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Anyway, the point is, I'm figuring out a whole new normal this school year. And in order to be intentional with my time, I'm finally starting to figure out how to actually. manage. time.<br />
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Enter <a href="http://bneatobar.com/" target="_blank">Beth</a>.<br />
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A few months ago, <a href="https://instagram.com/p/z3lng_RLA6/?taken-by=laurairion" target="_blank">on Instagram</a>, I was moaning about how bad I was at getting things done in, ahem, a timely manner. Afterward, I got a message from <a href="http://bneatobar.com/" target="_blank">a professional organizer named Beth</a> who offered to help me with my time management issues. YES! Are you kidding me? Yes.<br />
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Her tips were so immensely helpful that I asked if I could share them on the blog. (I didn't want to give away any trade secrets or anything). She said it was all fair game and feel free, (woohoo!) so I'm going to pass along the pearls of wisdom I took away from our sessions!<br />
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First, Beth and I met for an initial phone consult where she got an understanding of the problems I was having. (She, by the way, is the founder of <a href="http://bneatobar.com/" target="_blank">B'Neato Bar</a> and one look at her website makes you want to download her brain).<br />
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My "issues" are probably pretty typical: Balancing running a business with raising kids, finding time for bigger projects, making time for friends, keeping the house clean and keeping my sanity, etc. etc.<br />
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Basically, my to-do list was longer than my day, every day, and finding a way to be successful at work without completely ignoring my family (or finding a way to be a <i>present</i> wife and mom without sacrificing my career, however you want to say it), was something I desperately needed to figure out.<br />
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<i>Beth then gave me a horrible assignment.</i> She had me spend two weeks tracking my time. Yep, just like when you go on a diet and keep a food log, I had to write a time log. It was painstaking to do this exercise, but so eye-opening.<br />
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Right out of the gate, I realized why I feel like I can't get anything done- I'm a mom! My time sheet was recorded in 2 minute increments as that was about all the time I got on Day 1 to dedicate to any task before being interrupted. It instantly made me realize I was being way too hard on myself and expecting to get done way more than I am physically capable of.<br />
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So rule one: Give yourself grace! (And some coffee and some time in bed, even if you have to forcefully acquire a runny nose and hacking cough to get it)! You're doing way more than you think.<br />
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I should also mention that Beth gave me an app to track the time I spend on my phone every day. We do NOT want to discuss those disturbing results. For anyone brave who wants to know, the app is called <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/moment-track-how-much-you/id771541926?mt=8" target="_blank">Moment</a>.<br />
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After my two-week self-assessment, we met again to discuss the results and make a plan. After aaaaaalll of that, here are the steps and tools Beth gave me to help me get organized with my time:<br />
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<b>1. STEP ONE: GET A ROUTINE</b><br />
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This may be second nature to most of you, but when I learned that other people always shower at the same time of the day, I was shocked. I've literally NEVER had a daily self-imposed routine. The first thing Beth said is that <i>I needed one</i>.<br />
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So she had me walk through a typical Monday for her. From the time I wake to the time I hit the pillow again, everything I have to do - like shower, eat, feed my kids, do laundry, bedtime stories - was listed out.<br />
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I then chose times that I would <i>commit</i> to doing those routine tasks each day. For instance, I chose to shower at 9:00, and always fold laundry from 3-4 on Mondays, and always serve dinner at 5:30. Those things would be plugged in on a weekly calendar and became my "routines."<br />
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<b>2. STEP TWO: </b><b>MAP IT OUT</b><br />
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Now that we had done some self-evaluation to decide upon routines, we could map out my week. I used a table in Google docs to make a 5-day schedule showing time in half hour increments.<br />
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The map should have all the routines written in, and I color blocked them so it was obvious they are not free time.<br />
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Once this was done, I could see a complete and realistic picture of my week, showing all the blank slots of time I actually had.<br />
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I was surprised to see how much time was open. I usually feel like I have NO TIME AT ALL, but after creating my map, I had at least 6 hours <i>every day</i> that I could use. I felt rich, in a weird way!<br />
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<b>3. STEP THREE: </b><b>BRAIN DUMP</b><br />
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I used to start every day by writing a long to-do list of all the things I wanted to get done. Even though I knew I wouldn't be able to get to them all, (though I secretly hoped I could), I needed a place to write them down where I could find them again. Eventually, I would copy the "undone" things to the next day-- every day-- and always feel like I was falling behind. I never had a day where I could cross off everything and tell myself "job well done."<br />
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Beth kindly suggested that this was a very discouraging way to keep a to-do list. Rather than put it all in my daily planner, I needed a separate place to "brain dump" all the projects and ideas and wish list tasks that had been taking up space in my brain.<br />
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The tool she gave me to use is <a href="http://keep.google.com/" target="_blank">Google Keep</a>. All of my to-do items that are not routine are to go in Google Keep and I have a running list of everything I want to get done. It is safe there, and out of my brain.<br />
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Let everyone take note that I bravely vacuumed basement cobwebs this weekend. I can still feel them in my hair. Shudder.<br />
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<b>4. STEP FOUR: PLUG IN</b><br />
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Now that my thoughts were safe with Google, and I had a map of the week, I could fill in the blanks in my schedule. Referring back to the Brain Dump list, Beth told me to pull tasks out of Google Keep, in order of personal priority, and plug them into my open time slots. I began to see that there <i>is</i> time to get things done. Not everything, but many things!<br />
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I'll give you an example of how this changed my conception of time.<br />
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At the start of one week I had two projects I wanted to tackle: 1) Cleaning out & organizing the boys' room, and 2) Mulching our flower beds (which would include buying mulch). It seemed pretty reasonable that I could accomplish these two projects in one week- after all, five whole days, right?!<br />
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But after plugging in all of the routine stuff and the normal-taking-care-of-house-and-kids stuff, plus all the back-to-school stuff, the getting-in-one-last-vacation stuff, and the work stuff, I was able to SEE that there is noooooo way both of those projects were happening. <i>This was so good to know</i>. I had to choose which one was more important (boys' room, for sure, as it was causing my sanity to go out the window on a daily basis), and save the other for the following week.<br />
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<b>5. STEP FIVE: IT'S ON YOU</b><br />
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Above all, this whole exercise taught me how to be realistic. How to manage and account for my time in such a way that I made realistic expectations for realistic goals that I could realistically meet. I know much better now what I can say yes to, and what I should politely decline to take on. I realize more clearly that there aren't an infinite number of hours in a day and when I really need to start something in order to get it done on time. I realize that writing in time to "play" with my kids is a priority and an important thing to protect.<br />
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However, having an organized and realistic view of time is only half the equation. The other half is sheer force of will. <i>It's on me to actually DO the things I've written in those little slots. </i><br />
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I'll admit that is the hardest part. Sometimes I'm so tired I can hardly think, and I don't want to do anything but sip coffee and stare at the wall. Other times, the task ahead is so mundane and boring I can barely face doing it. I mean, seriously, grocery shopping is the worst! And it would certainly be easy to brush aside play time with my little guy so that I could get "just one more thing" done. Discipline <i>is</i> required. (Darn!)<br />
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I'd like to thank Beth for giving me these insanely helpful tools for organizing time. If you are looking to spend an hour on the internet that will <i>seriously</i> motivate you to clean out your whole life, go stalk her on <a href="http://pinterest.com/bneatobar" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/bneatobar" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and on <a href="http://bneatobar.com/" target="_blank">her website</a>. Good grief I nerd out over the navigation on her home page. I just hover over all those little boxes and say "Yes! I want that! That too! Leave the garage door open and NOT cringe when the neighbor drives by and looks in? What does that even feel like!?"<br />
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Side note for anyone who is wondering, no, Beth didn't sponsor this post. She did give me this advice for free, but I think that was more of a kindhearted "take pity on this poor woman" decision than a business decision. ;) I'm really grateful she took the time, and I'm really grateful she let me share the process with you! Thanks again Beth!<br />
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How about you? How do you manage your time (or not manage it, as the case may be?) What have you found helps you to organize your day? I'd love to know!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-35720845105492821102015-08-20T05:00:00.000-05:002015-08-20T16:46:42.926-05:00DIY Summer School // Sprayed Gold Leaves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi everyone and welcome to your LAST class of the <a href="http://designpostinteriors.com/" target="_blank">designPost</a> DIY Summer School Series. I'm sad it's over! Today's theme is 'Found in Nature.'<br />
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In true last-day-of-school fashion, today's lesson is so easy, it's downright lazy. Two instructions: Find a leaf, and spray paint it gold. Boom, DIY!<br />
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Now since you know I can't help it, I'll give you more detail about how I did mine, but if you are a skip-the-words-read-the-pictures kind of blog reader, you can cut class now and feel confident you've already got the gist of it.<br />
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First of all, this project was inspired by two things: 1) My inability to keep house plants alive, and 2) <a href="http://instagram.com/meandering_mari" target="_blank">Mari Orr on Instagram</a>. A while ago, she posted a picture of <a href="https://instagram.com/p/wijnwPxLGo/?taken-by=laurairion" target="_blank">a gold spray painted leaf</a> in the #foundforaged feed, which fittingly inspired my friend Traci to comment, "Paint all the things gold!" Yes, yes, let's do that. (By the way, if you love art and want crazy amounts of inspiration, <a href="http://instagram.com/meandering_mari" target="_blank">follow Mari</a> on Instagram. Her feed is a delight to the eyes).<br />
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Anyway, around the same time, <a href="https://instagram.com/p/vEX-ZjxLLj/?taken-by=laurairion" target="_blank">I was posting about my rubber plant</a> and its sad and untimely demise. It was a slow process - probably 9 months in total- but the plant went from a robust green beauty to two sad and spindly sticks pointing wickedly out of the dirt, like the tsking fingers of a petrified teacher shaming me from beyond the grave. But I had a plan. I was collecting the leaves as they fell, letting them brown and curl, dry and harden, as I imagined painting all the things gold. (Careful readers will remember me promising I had a plan when I defended the Dead Plant of Terror's continued presence in <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/02/the-stuff-of-nightmares.html" target="_blank">my old bedroom</a>. Today's DIY is that plan! And new readers will have fun clicking that link and playing I-Spy for the plant's cameo...so long as you promise to <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/05/one-room-challenge-bedroom-reveal.html" target="_blank">go here</a> afterward, so I can prove to you I don't live like that anymore).<br />
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So, to clarify the process for the DIY-er's who need very specific instructions, here are the steps:<br />
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<b>1. STEP ONE: SLOWLY MURDER A RUBBER PLANT</b><br />
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Yep, let the leaves fall off one by one and just leave them on your floor to brown, dry and harden.<br />
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Cautionary note: Communicate your plans to your husband, who might otherwise throw them away, thinking he's helping out around the house, only to be met with your near hysterical meltdown and frantic clawing through a garbage bag.<br />
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I am sure this project can be done with any number of leaves, but I can't imagine one more perfect than the rubber plant's. The texture and curled patterns that the naturally dried leaves take on are beautiful, and so diverse from leaf to leaf!<br />
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Also, for those of you who are too horrified to read any further at this point, you could just get a rubber plant and try to keep it alive. They are lovely plants and naturally shed a leaf or two from time to time, even when healthy. :)<br />
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However you choose to do it, grab a leaf and you're all set to start this project.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlw6crIXApELLPI7GjBkxiQSb7XN3ugMT4OI5UHCmnajoEFNhOPTwTmAaAyPpvOnB8VlVmyDfReGdBY8fo5pzJkSI3kBjS_WElQ6qVPswnjNz8K3G_VQ_SzuhYuvMmYIe8Ssc_HqKXF54/s1600/IMG_5916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlw6crIXApELLPI7GjBkxiQSb7XN3ugMT4OI5UHCmnajoEFNhOPTwTmAaAyPpvOnB8VlVmyDfReGdBY8fo5pzJkSI3kBjS_WElQ6qVPswnjNz8K3G_VQ_SzuhYuvMmYIe8Ssc_HqKXF54/s640/IMG_5916.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>2. STEP TWO: LACQUER THE LEAF (OPTIONAL)</b><br />
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When I painted my bedroom nightstand, (the one New Readers just saw when they clicked <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/05/one-room-challenge-bedroom-reveal.html" target="_blank">the link absolving me from bedroom shame</a>), I had a jar of Americana Decor Chalky Paint Lacquer left over. (Sorry I can't find it online- I bought mine at Hobby Lobby). I decided to use it on my leaf before spray painting, because I wanted to fix some hairline cracks and make the leaf as durable as possible.<br />
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If you're going to display this up high and out of reach, this isn't a necessary step. But since I didn't know if I might want to use it to hold paperclips, business cards, or as a ring dish, I thought it best to shore up its strength as much as I could before painting it. The lacquer I used was on the pricey side at $10 a jar, so I think Mod Podge would work just as well. I just used what I had on hand.<br />
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Make sure you spread the lacquer extremely thin. The leaves have a wonderful striped texture that is reminiscent of <a href="http://www.jaysonhome.com/gold-athena-tray-1.html" target="_blank">these lovelies</a> and you'll want to preserve it. Don't slop a ton of clear coat on, or the texture won't show through under your paint. A large paint brush stolen from your kids' art drawer will suffice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvFVX8SoRCKRQIpIeir3-Rzrp2WAf2qmb4lYdLoELpPZ0ANC_qLN0siW3Qbs-3KrCUlE4bTKzf0dwvRceSc2aQSDkGwUfDIKZ1jdNtfLeVks4iYCQVD86ybH536m1v9WVdq6tQGhGxNQ/s1600/IMG_5915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvFVX8SoRCKRQIpIeir3-Rzrp2WAf2qmb4lYdLoELpPZ0ANC_qLN0siW3Qbs-3KrCUlE4bTKzf0dwvRceSc2aQSDkGwUfDIKZ1jdNtfLeVks4iYCQVD86ybH536m1v9WVdq6tQGhGxNQ/s640/IMG_5915.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>3. STEP THREE: SPRAY PAINT THE LEAF GOLD</b><br />
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Having tried every gold metallic spray paint on the market, I will agree with every blogger who has ever told you that <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Specialty-11-oz-Metallic-Gold-Spray-Paint-1910830/100155951" target="_blank">Rust-Oleum Metallic Gold</a> is the only way to go. The finish is gorgeous.<br />
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Give your leaf several light coats. I did four coats, each 15 minutes apart, to achieve my color.<br />
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One trick I use to spray paint small objects is to set them inside a box instead of laying them on flat cardboard. The lid flaps keep the paint from flying all around, and you can easily carry it inside to dry (helpful when the garage is humid on a Chicago summer day). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQanzN11J336z9DYne31nesL89_Ig3aFvGSslwB9LJ1GD_2aWxF6ZhrCc2BbYdoc0KZt7ojClWKGj-8dYzzmqMO8h9L1duUd04YmMw0fCKSYXwEdF8iwVmmj5FnIf4ehz5fR1AX2W_jNM/s1600/IMG_5974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQanzN11J336z9DYne31nesL89_Ig3aFvGSslwB9LJ1GD_2aWxF6ZhrCc2BbYdoc0KZt7ojClWKGj-8dYzzmqMO8h9L1duUd04YmMw0fCKSYXwEdF8iwVmmj5FnIf4ehz5fR1AX2W_jNM/s640/IMG_5974.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>4. STEP FOUR: DISPLAY!</b><br />
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I actually tried the lacquer again over the top after painting, thinking it would seal everything, but all it did was change the finish to a sickly shade of green. In the end, I haven't needed anything on top of the spray paint. I've used the leaf a few different ways (though I think it's best suited to sitting on top of books and looking pretty), and the paint hasn't come off at all.<br />
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So, style away!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9rIyRZX696HCXDyhwpzpKOMbBFVmzJTidZ1T7PkUvxBx6XAMGhJmJmXCfutX4rENhwPpBAIc4tDWYeIGdqEWuAEpwb1-0721CN0vIrhnm5a3qubF4FnwAkiQL8NckxaP52AiV2QU61Q/s1600/IMG_6044+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9rIyRZX696HCXDyhwpzpKOMbBFVmzJTidZ1T7PkUvxBx6XAMGhJmJmXCfutX4rENhwPpBAIc4tDWYeIGdqEWuAEpwb1-0721CN0vIrhnm5a3qubF4FnwAkiQL8NckxaP52AiV2QU61Q/s640/IMG_6044+%25281%2529.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Well, team, that does it for DIY Summer School. It's been a privilege to be included with this group of bloggers, and my heartfelt thanks goes to <a href="http://designpostinteriors.com/" target="_blank">Beth of designPost Interiors</a> for creating this series and inviting me to be a part of it.<br />
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I'd love for you to follow <a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/avery-street-design-blog-12584907?search_term=avery%20street%20design&context=search_page" target="_blank">Avery Street Design Blog on Bloglovin' </a>(or sign up on the right side bar to have posts come to your inbox) so we can stay in touch. Kind of like waiting until the end of the school year to friend your teacher on Facebook so it isn't awkward. Wait, do kids ever do that? You can also find me on <a href="http://instagram.com/laurairion" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="http://pinterest.com/laurairion" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>.<br />
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And now, for the last time, let's head off to the other teachers of DIY Summer School and see what they've been up to!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhPp6WKRsuXYNRbT5ULibZBuU5jnnspLF-dWOCvDeGrhS5_5-azH2zX6M_3j_TGsFuKT9JxeGkI9JcBy1AaNleRMtzEDX77DfS06idGx97hyTh4cFkVf4faKCgBonZOzaMKZXr24Los0/s1600/DIYsummerschoolbloggers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhPp6WKRsuXYNRbT5ULibZBuU5jnnspLF-dWOCvDeGrhS5_5-azH2zX6M_3j_TGsFuKT9JxeGkI9JcBy1AaNleRMtzEDX77DfS06idGx97hyTh4cFkVf4faKCgBonZOzaMKZXr24Los0/s640/DIYsummerschoolbloggers.jpg" width="416" /></a></div>
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<i>DIY Summer School brought to you by:</i></div>
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Beth, <a href="http://www.designpostinteriors.com/2015/08/diy-summer-school-found-in-nature.html" target="_blank">designPOST interiors</a></div>
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Jennifer, <a href="http://www.dimplesandtangles.com/2015/08/rock-tassel-necklace-diy-summer-school.html" target="_blank">Dimples & Tangles</a></div>
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Claire, <a href="http://clairebrodydesigns.com/diy-copper-planter/" target="_blank">Claire Brody Designs</a></div>
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Mallory, <a href="http://www.charmingincharlotte.com/" target="_blank">Charming in Charlotte</a></div>
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Lindsey, <a href="http://www.lindseybrookedesign.com/" target="_blank">Lindsey Brooke Design</a></div>
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Kevin, <a href="http://www.thouswell.co/diy-summer-school-painted-stump-table/" target="_blank">Thou Swell</a></div>
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Sarah, <a href="http://lifeonvirginiastreet.com/2015/08/gold-stick-art" target="_blank">Life on Virginia Street</a></div>
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Laura, <a href="http://averystreetdesign.com/">Avery Street Design</a></div>
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<i>Featuring these DIY themes:</i></div>
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June 4th: <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/06/diy-summer-school-ikea-hack-built-in.html">IKEA Hack</a></div>
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June 18th: <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/06/diy-summer-school-thrifted-raffia.html">Thrifting</a></div>
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July 9th: <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/07/diy-summer-school-theres-app-for-that.html">Wildcard</a></div>
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July 23rd: <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/07/diy-summer-school-fabric-covered.html">Craft Store</a></div>
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August 6th: <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/08/diy-summer-school-updating-doorway-trim.html">Hardware Store</a></div>
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August 20th: <a href="http://www.averystreetdesign.com/2015/08/diy-summer-school-sprayed-gold-leaves.html" target="_blank">Found in Nature</a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-81373804662623281392015-08-10T05:00:00.000-05:002015-08-10T05:00:03.463-05:00Interview // Top 5 Places in Chicago to Instagram<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BKhk9M2xXZM/VbZZoRyLPNI/AAAAAAAARcU/UngV02mEe14/s1600/chicagoInstagramlocations.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BKhk9M2xXZM/VbZZoRyLPNI/AAAAAAAARcU/UngV02mEe14/s400/chicagoInstagramlocations.png" width="398" /></a></div>
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A few months back, I was interviewed by some sweet girls over at <a href="https://www.bloguettes.com/top-5-most-instagrammable-places-in-chicago/" target="_blank">Bloguettes</a> about my favorite places in Chicago to take pictures for Instagram. Admittedly, I do not get into the city nearly enough, as I am a suburban girl through and through. But it is something I want to do more of, and I have a running bucket list of places I'd love to go and shoot.<br />
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In the meantime, I collected my Top 5 so far for the Bloguettes blog, and I'd love for you to check out the interview! </div>
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<a href="https://www.bloguettes.com/top-5-most-instagrammable-places-in-chicago/" target="_blank">Top 5 Most Instagrammable Places in Chicago</a></div>
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Be sure to let me know what I should add to the list...</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937548132957624854.post-51193436933172270032015-08-07T05:00:00.000-05:002015-08-08T08:32:16.540-05:00Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIFIAa-C3btds1Z9XomebvMX7q-Hw0Jsdbfo7WHxCpJS3g54fpJJUx3-BGXMNowvags4bTNaeADYpIZ0G6I_v79xzy1XwfCXkpJ5tH9AVwt08ILyy14W9GlHs2FSGXO0jxpkxCZFqkwA/s1600/Lemon+Thistle+Blog+Birthday+Giveaway+-+Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIFIAa-C3btds1Z9XomebvMX7q-Hw0Jsdbfo7WHxCpJS3g54fpJJUx3-BGXMNowvags4bTNaeADYpIZ0G6I_v79xzy1XwfCXkpJ5tH9AVwt08ILyy14W9GlHs2FSGXO0jxpkxCZFqkwA/s640/Lemon+Thistle+Blog+Birthday+Giveaway+-+Edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So what happens when your blog buddy turns the big 2? (That's old for a blog, you know). She gets her #blogtribe together for an awesome giveaway, that's what! </div>
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In celebration of my friend <a href="http://lemonthistle.com/" target="_blank">Colleen's</a> 2nd Anniversary at Lemon Thistle, we are teaming up with a bunch of great blogs to give you a chance at $250 via PayPal!</div>
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Just enter via the Rafflecopter below, and GOOD LUCK!</div>
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<img alt="Lemon Thistle Blog Birthday Giveaway" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4353" src="http://lemonthistle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Lemon-Thistle-Blog-Birthday-Giveaway.jpg" height="640" width="454" /> </div>
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<strong>Brought to you by: </strong></div>
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<strong><a href="http://lemonthistle.com/" target="_blank">Lemon Thistle</a> | <a href="http://abubblylife.com/" target="_blank">A Bubbly Life</a> | <a href="http://averystreetdesign.com/" target="_blank">Avery Street Design</a> | <a href="http://dwellbeautiful.com/" target="_blank">Dwell Beautiful</a> | <a href="http://feastandwest.com/" target="_blank">Feast + West</a> | <a href="http://freshcrush.com/" target="_blank">Fresh Crush</a> | <a href="http://fynesdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Fynes Designs</a> | <a href="http://houseofhipsters.com/" target="_blank">House of Hipsters</a> | <a href="http://makingitinthemountains.com/" target="_blank">Making it in the Mountains</a> | <a href="http://persialou.com/" target="_blank">Persia Lou</a> | <a href="http://dawnypoo.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Not Just a Mommy</a> | <a href="http://petitemodernlife.com/" target="_blank">Petite Modern Life</a> | <a href="http://prettyprovidence.com/" target="_blank">Pretty Providence</a> | <a href="http://sisterswhat.com/" target="_blank">Sisters What</a> | <a href="http://squirrellyminds.com/" target="_blank">Squirrelly Minds</a> | <a href="http://tableandhearth.com/" target="_blank">Table and Hearth</a> | <a href="http://dwellinginhappiness.com/" target="_blank">Dwelling in Happiness</a> | <a href="http://www.nalleshouse.com/" target="_blank">Nalle's House</a></strong><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="f5b6bb8510" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f5b6bb8510/" id="rcwidget_hupbcca5" rel="nofollow"><b>CLICK HERE TO ENTER!</b></a></span></div>
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Happy Anniversary Colleen! You are an inspiration!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17071747660697812122noreply@blogger.com0