Glow Baby Glow

Yes, more wine bottles. What can I say? I like the vino.

Got some string lights left lying around now that the holiday season is coming to a close? Why not make some awesome decorations for you upcoming bangin' new year's party?

This project does involve drilling through glass, but as long as you take the necessary precautions (like wearing safety goggles), it is not such a big deal. A glass drill bit is under $20 at any hardware store and will be a good thing to have in your toolbox... just in case.

Drill a small hole in the bottom of your wine bottle. Experiment with different color bottles. I found a can of spray frost at the local craft store, which gives the bottles a cool glow effect. Incandescent lights are hotter than LED, but the light they give off is much softer and more appealing color.

Make several of these and place them around the house for a nice holiday glow without being overtly Christmas.

Shop 'Til You Drop

It is the day after Christmas. Do you still spend Christmas at your parents' house? Now's the time to step it up, put on your big girl/boy pants, and invest in your own holiday decorations for next year. What better day to do it than when stores are unloading all their unwanted Christmas merchandise?

Now, personally, I will be expanding my Hanukkah inventory. But since the majority of us celebrate Christmas, run out and get some sparkly lights on major sale. Just don't come to buy stuff where I work today... working the day after Christmas is not real and I do not approve. Alas, here I am.

Go for it, kiddos. Everyone likes a good deal, especially on things they can forget about for a year. Come next November/December, it will be like getting new stuff all over again. You can't argue with that logic.

The Rain in Spain

In the process of adding onto my house, the builders had to take off my gutter downspouts. The addition or renovation of a home is the perfect time to consider alternatives to traditional (read: boring) aluminum downspouts.

Rain chains have been used in Japan for over 100 years and are slowly but surely becoming popular in America, especially with the go green set. These decorative copper accents are not only a more aesthetically attractive option, they can provide more utilitarian benefits than aluminum downspouts.

By guiding the water from your gutters into a rain collection bin or decorative container, the rain chain acts as a path for the water. It also serves as a decorative water feature, providing soft water-esque noises during a rain storm. Why pay for a sound machine at Brookstone when you can have your very own fountain outside your window? The chains look like a fountain, especially if you choose a beautiful copper basin to collect the water as it comes down.

Unfortunately, rain chains are not sufficient to use as your primary downspouts all around your home. It is recommended that they only be responsible for 30 feet of gutter. However, give it a try for at least one section of your home and be the cool kid in the neighborhood. They come in all sort of different shapes and styles, but traditionally come in a standard length of 8 1/2 feet. Don't forget to also get a basin of some sort... all that water has to go somewhere!

You Light Up My Life

So if you're like me, Christmas in the 80s was full of baby dolls who actually pooped, big wheels, and the Barbie RV with a fold out table for candlelit dinners with Ken. It also included those huge glass colored Christmas lights strung around the tree, threatening to shatter at any moment. AWESOME.

Well, I know you can still fond them some places, but they usually sell out quickly. Enter ping pong lights. Buy a gross (144 count) of ping pong balls for around $10.00, use a nail or drill to punch a hole in them, and stick them on your normal boring lights for the same sense of ambiance you got from those eighties monsters. I like them on white lights too-- they give the impression of those even more retro big bulbs. Try it out and see what happens... while I don't have a Christmas tree this year in my new house (since I am not yet living there), I will definitely be using these when the time comes to decorate my patio. Rock on.

Drink Up

Because of the way my kitchen is set up in my new home, I am unable to put any cabinets directly above the sink. I may still choose to put shelves up there, but I also found this chic and cheap alternative.

I love the vino. Who doesn't? And since we already found a way to use the leftover corks, why not make the bottles into an awesome piece of wall art?

So invite over a friend or two and down a few bottles. To make one vase, you will need:

- a clean empty wine bottle

- 3/8" top plate connector/ceiling flange

- 1" split ring hanger

- two screws and drywall hooks to fit the top plate connector

- two pieces of 3/8" threaded rod, cut to 2.5"

- double stick foam mounting tape in case the bottle neck is smaller than 1"

- silk flowers

1. Put the top plate connector against the wall where you want the neck of the bottle to be and mark where the screws will go. Drill holes and insert drywall hooks as needed. Attach the plate to the wall with the screws.

2. Screw in the cut rod pieces and the split ring hanger.

3. Apply the foam mounting tape to the neck of the bottle where the split ring will hold it. Position the bottle in the split ring and tighten the screws to secure it.

4. Pop in some silk flowers and enjoy! The best part is, you can switch the flowers whenever you want to make a new statement.

Enjoy this simple and beautiful statement for a kitchen or dining room. Pretty cool if you ask me.

PS thanks to Design Sponge for this awesome idea!

Spinnin' the Vinyl

With the addition going on the back of my house, I recently had to choose a type of siding for my exterior. While brick, wood, and/or stucco options are usually preferable, they are also the most expensive. Additionally, the material most commonly known by its brand name, HardiPlank, is also more costly than other options (though it does have a longer lifespan and increased durability).

When choosing an option for siding, the most important factors include neighboring homes, climate, durability, cost, and maintenance.

My first consideration was neighboring houses. In all honesty, the other homes in my neighborhood primarily have used aluminum or vinyl siding. While HardiPlank (also known as fiber cement siding) might be preferable in the long run, you also don't want to price your home out of the neighborhood. The increased cost may be worth it to you, but will it be worth it to the next homeowner? In my situation, probably not. My neighborhood has turned, for the most part, into starter home for singles and couples before they actually start their families. Odds are, the person who buys my house after me will be looking at the price for the bottom line, not the lifespan of the exterior materials, because they will not actually be living in the home long enough to have to replace anything.

So with that in mind, I narrowed my choices to aluminum and vinyl. Both give the appearance of wood plank siding without the care required to protect wood from home invaders, such as those pesky little guys called termites. The climate in Louisville is mild enough to not have to worry about hurricane-force winds, which have a tendency to rip off siding. Ever noticed how many homes in Florida have a stucco finish? Not a coincidence.

The major difference between aluminum and vinyl siding is the durability. Aluminum is susceptible to dents and scrapes (imagine a Coke can). Vinyl tends to fade after about 10 years. Aluminum siding is difficult to paint, though not impossible, which can become a problem if you choose a bright pink house. Vinyl options usually have a wood grain imprint, which can add a nice feel to the home. Unfortunately, some studies suggest the production of vinyl has been harmful to the environment in the past. Be sure to check into the manufacturer of the material to make sure you can choose vinyl with a clear conscience.

I think you can probably tell what material I went with (like the title didn't totally blow my cover). I looked into the environmental concerns (because I love the polar bears) and determined that I could feel good about using the material. Additionally, the idea of not having to worry as much about the look, maintenance, and durability pretty much sold me.

While vinyl is not definitively the best choice for everyone, it is the best choice for me. Explore your options and see what happens. Until then, I will enjoy my wheat vinyl siding with a happy heart!

Christmas Party in the USA

Check out this article for some awesome party tips for the upcoming holiday season from the one and only Clinton Kelly (yes, the guy from What Not to Wear and the fashion-tip advertisements in the dressing rooms at Macy's).

My favorite? The formula for how many people your house can hold for a party (square footage of your home divided by five) and then the tricks and tips for figuring out how many people to invite. Amazing.

PS... thanks to my mom for investing in this quality piece of holiday couture pictured on the left. And yes, it says NOG. Amazing.

Therma wha? Therma who?

So after meeting with my kitchen planner on Wednesday, I came away with mixed emotions... on the one hand, it was so much fun to pick out everything and see my kitchen actually laid out and on paper. I had drafted a floor plan, but to see elevations and perspective drawings of my house... that was awesome. But at the same time, the price was terrifying. My original quote was thrown out the window because I decided to add additional cabinets. I started dreaming big, which is never a good combination with a tiny budget. However, it was a necessary change, seeing as even a novice chef such as myself cannot work with virtually no counter space and three cabinets.

Now in an ideal world, I would have solid mahogany cabinets with premium granite counter tops and drawers pulls of solid gold. However, I am working on a budget and determined to keep it down. Because I am planning on staying in this home for 5-7 years, I want to use materials that will last and still look nice when I put the house back on the market. But I also need to consider the buyer--people looking in my neighborhood will most likely be single or young couples who are also staying on a budget. While extras like a super-nice kitchen would be cool, it is not something they are willing to pay an extra $10,000 for.

In comes Thermafoil. This synthetic material has a smooth coat and is significantly cheaper than solid wood cabinets... and is easier to maintain. They are more difficult to paint however, so be sure to choose a neutral color. While I personally prefer darker finishes on cabinets, I had to take into account that I am keeping the majority of my appliances and they are white... so I went with white. I like white, and it works with everything from my Tuscan-inspired design plan to some other person's country bumpkin Walmart border.

So while cheaper alternatives such as Thermafoil or (gasp!) laminate floors or counter tops may seem like a disappointment, take them into consideration before completely blowing them off. While they may not be as durable as the quality stuff, they will still look nice and most likely last long enough for you and the next few owners of your home to enjoy them!

Spreading Holiday Cheer for a Good Cause

This may be a shameless plug, but I am OK with that. I recently was contracted to work with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to take patients' artwork and turn it into holiday cards. Obviously, the real artists are the kids who created some of the cutest pictures ever, I just helped format them for cards. Best of all, you can upload your family photo to the site and it will be printed with the card... no printing a thousand pictures at Walgreens and sticking them in cards!

Holiday cards are an awesome way to keep in touch with friends and family (so is gchat, but that's another story). And with these cards, 15% of the profits go towards CHOA, which serves the entire Southeast with premier healthcare for children.

So check them out at www.choa.org/cards and spread some Christmas cheer twice over!

Note: make sure to access the TinyPrints/CHOA page through CHOA's website in order to guarantee your donation!

Raise the Roof!

Yesterday, my contractor Mike called to let me know that they had decided to go on and tear the roof off the back of my house. I mean, why not? This has always been part of the remodeling plan, we just hadn't planned on completing this step before Thanksgiving. Whatever, I say bring it on!

Unfortunately, this has put some more pressure on me to choose my shingle type. You would think it would be simple; however, I have found with roofing, nothing is ever simple. While the material is pretty much predetermined, style and type are very important.

Having a roof over your head is like, one of a humankind's basic needs. I seem to remember learning something about a pyramid of needs in high school psychology class, and I feel like shelter was pretty clutch. When it comes to the material you use to cover your abode, things have progressed from twigs and mud. Nowadays, you have two main options when it comes to shingles (other roofing options are a whole different story): ceramic tile and fiberglass-based asphalt shingles. Basically, if you have gobs of money you with the former--ceramic tile is beautiful, but they break very easily and require replacement. Asphalt shingles are more resilient and therefore, more practical.

The next thing to consider is dimensional versus three-tab shingles. The basic difference between the two is price and longevity. Dimensional shingles will run you about $600 more (on a smaller single family home), but they will last about five years longer and are more durable because they are much thicker. Dimensional shingles are a must if you live anywhere prone to high winds (you know, Kansas during tornado season or Florida during hurricane season). They also just look better. I think the choice is obvious, but you need to make the decision for your home based on location and budget.

Now, obviously, the most important thing to consider are the aesthetics of your roof... primarily, the color of the shingles you choose. There are all sorts of options, from variations of the traditional blacks and grays, to more "unique" choices like light blue or white. Surprisingly (ha), I am more of a traditional kinda gal. My current roof on the new house is a kind of reddish brown... which would be fine... if BRICK weren't also reddish brown. I would immediately go for black, but you have to take into consideration the heat it will contain... that might be awesome in the winter, but will I be very happy about it the summer?

Decisions, decisions. The important thing to remember is that a roof is a 20-30 year investment; stick to quality neutrals, both for your sanity and resale value.

Hey good lookin'... whatcha got cookin'?

When I set out remodel my house, I originally only planned on adding a bathroom upstairs. That led to expanding the two bedrooms up there. Which led to adding walk in closets in both rooms. The, since I was already getting a contractor, I figured, why not have them knock out the wall by the stairs? And while we are knocking out walls, I guess we could get rid of this door here... and add on to the porch... and enlarge this window... and get rid of the side door and window... and extend the kitchen into the family room... you get the idea.

So from that laundry list of things we are fixing, the biggest surprise was the kitchen. I am not a super cook who needs warming drawers and granite countertops, but this kitchen was a tiny bit ridiculous. There was a total 24" of counter space. Two feet. The dishwasher was one of those European deals that is super skinny and only meant for people who shop at the original Ikea or live in New York City. There were three cabinets. Soooo I may have gotten a little carried away, but now we're redoing the kitchen!

I met with Laura, my kitchen planner, for the first time this past week. Kitchen planners are great because unfortunately, things like cabinets and appliances aren't really standard or anything. Every kitchen is different and comes with a unique set of needs. So here are some things to keep in mind when setting up your kitchen (even if you are not remodeling, keep these in mind when putting things in drawers, etc.):

- Keep in mind your three primary work spaces: refrigeration storage, cook top, and sink. Technically, these three spaces should be no more than 9' from each other (not a problem in my kitchen, haha). They should also be no closer than 4' in order to leave room for prep spaces. There should be no obstacles (such as an island or trash can) in the middle of the triangle.

- There should be at least three feet of counter space next to the sink for food preparation.

- Your dishwasher and trash receptacle should both be within two feet of the edge of your sink.

- Keep in mind landing areas. Each of your primary work spaces should have 'landing areas' nearby... basically, that is just a fancy word for counter space to drop food as you retrieve it from the refrigerator or before you throw it in a pot on the stove.

- Keep the clutter to a minimum. Your mixer, blender, food processor, coffee maker, etc. can all be stored in a cabinet when not in use. OK, maybe not the coffee maker. But things that you don't use all the time, store away. It will make you feel like a neater person and all your guests will be so impressed! And by "guests," I mean your mom.

- Don't forget to consider your primary uses for the kitchen when defining the space. Expert baker? Spring for the marble countertops. But if that is not something you consider a huge deal, save your pennies. I am not a great cook, though I love to dabble. I am also keeping in mind resale, so my kitchen won't be crazy specific as far as extras.

- Height matters. When I lived in South Carolina, I had this great loft apartment with 18' ceilings. Awesome, right? Yeah except the cabinets were proportional to the space, meaning I could only reach the first two shelves. Anything higher and I either had to hop up on the countertop or get my hand dandy reach extender. Not OK. Now I won't be designing my kitchen specifically for someone who is 5'3", but it will also not be for a giant.

Above all, when considering your kitchen set up, think logically. Cups and glasses should be close to the refrigerator. Utensils should be below dishes. Cooking utensils should be near the stove. Use your head, and enjoy an easy cooking experience. Now, learning to cook is a whole other story... I'll be working on that for awhile. Until then, I can subsist on spaghetti and scrambled eggs.

Tearing Down to Build Up

I think I scared a few of my friends the other day when I sent them messages saying, "There's a hole in my floor!" What I didn't clarify is that there was supposed to be a hole in my floor... it was all part of the demolition (but thanks to the friends who offered condolences and/or places to stay).

Demolition is the important first step in any construction process. Not only are you getting rid of all the stuff you don't need (like a roof), you are also getting an intimate look into the internal structure of your home.

If you aren't using a contractor, make sure to check out what sort of permits you need to do your renovations. Most contractors will take care of this for you, but be sure you spell it out before you begin the project. If you are getting your own permits, check not only with the neighborhood "city" in which your property is located, but also the metro area, or your actual city.

Demolition involves dumpsters... it is just one of those unfortunate facts of life. And as useful as dumpsters are, they are not exactly the prettiest things in the world. So if your home is within sight of your neighbors, which it most likely is, make sure they know what is going on and that you are aware of the inconvenience to them. I made cookies to take to my neighbors and introduce myself since they don't really know me. Unfortunately, after my strenuous labor breaking and baking, neither of them were home and my sister ate all the cookies. Whatever, next time I was around, I introduced myself and took my card to them. Let them know you are sympathetic and that they can call anytime if there is a problem. Not only will they feel better that you are not the new loud neighbor, you now also have someone who is keeping an eye on things when you are not there. Win win.

While your walls are open, check on the insulation situation. My house was built in 1948, and apparently energy efficiency wasn't a top priority in post-war Louisville. However, while the walls are open, I can choose to add insulation and get a tax credit: 30% of the cost up to $1500. Still not sure if I can afford to do it right now, but it will also save me when it comes to heat bills next winter. Good to know.

Just a few things to ponder while you are tearing down walls! So grab a sledgehammer and go!

Homecoming

It's true, I am back! The past month has been ridiculous and difficult and busy, but I am here. My work schedule has been completely different due to our holiday sale and things have been picking up with my class. Additionally, my computer crashed (that tends to throw a wrench into the act of blogging, I found) and earlier today my family said goodbye to our precious puppy, Chip. So not the greatest few weeks of life, but that is over now and I am back to Sweaty Equity and better than ever!

The house is coming along nicely. We've started construction and the whole place looks a little bit like a war zone. I have many subjects upon which to expound and I cannot wait to do so. Mostly, I wanted to let the diligent readers of Sweaty Equity (if there are any of you left) know that I am alive and well and knocking down walls! Let's get back to business, shall we?

Going Postal

When you move, make sure to fill out a change of address form.

Dude, you can even do it online.

My new mailbox is stuffed with letters and bills for the previous owner every day.

Not cool.

That's all.

Check It

Tomorrow, I have my final meeting with my chosen contractor before construction finally starts! So excited, but thought I would write a little something about how I came to my decision.

There were really three men in the running for my little job. One was a friend of the family who was just priced impossibly high and another was the misogynistic jerk who actually had the lowest bid. The one I chose was in the middle as far as price, but most importantly... I liked him! I mean seriously, that factor tends to be far from emphasized in this whole process.

Mike is a cool older guy who had done several projects around the area. I literally just saw a house he did that looked nice and went up gangbusters and got his number from a sign in the front yard. Is this a great method? Not really, but it worked.

Now, because I don't know anyone personally who recommended him, I asked for references, proof of insurance, whether or not he is registered with the Better Business Bureau, and licenses. This is just smart... you need to make sure you don't just have some total rando nailing things together and thinking that they look good. Not OK. All of these qualifications and references are necessary to make sure you are making the right choice when it comes to choosing a contractor.

I am very pleased with Mike and my best advice is just to be smart. Think before you leap in with someone and make sure you lay out all the specifications and ideas you have before you sign anything. Honesty is the best policy and hopefully your contractor will be straight with you.

Now if only all of life's other relationships were this straightforward...

PS: if you google image 'dubious,' this image is what you get. I thought it was great.

Wallpaper Scraps: Not Crap

In my line of work, we are surrounded by sample books. Literally. We have an entire room devoted to carpet sample, another to wallpaper, and yet another huge room--with workspace--for textiles. I have discussed the abundance of textile scraps before, but now we are moving on to the wonder of wallpaper scraps.

Wallpaper ain't just for an ugly kitchen border and Modge Podge ain't just for your scrapbooking granny. Get creative or follow a template. Recreate a piece of famous art... using scraps of decorative paper. Don't have access to discontinued samples? Make color copies or even use fun paper meant for scrapbooking (though that can be a little more expensive).

Sketch out your image on a pre-stretched, primed canvas. By thinking in blocks of color, not only are you tapping your inner printmaker, you are bringing out the spatial thinker within. Sometimes it is easier to just cut away; I personally prefer to make templates of my shapes on regular paper first. However, I might just be special. I had a little trouble grasping the concept behind holding scissors correctly in preschool. I am just creative. Lay off.

Even if you can't draw a straight line, this project is pretty difficult to screw up. Draw your shapes in pencil on the back of the paper to prevent any markings from showing. Glue them down using just a little watered-down Elmers and a paint brush (you can just use the Modge Podge, but I don't trust it). When you are finished, brush the whole thing with a coat of Modge Podge to keep everything seamless. And like magic, more wall art. You are awesome.

Planting Perennials

I am a gardener in no way, shape, or form. I managed to keep a peace lily alive for a year without ever realizing that it was supposed to have blooms. I thought it was just a lovely green plant. Then my mom started to water it, and it started getting these weird-looking bulbs at the end of the stalks, which I assumed were some mutant green plant virus, so I clipped them off. Then I went out of town, leaving the mutant things alone and my mom in charge... and came home to find a peace lily with beautiful blooms. I was convinced my mom had switched the plant. I was wrong. Anyway, that is just proof that I am anything but a green thumb.

However, in the name of home-ownership, I have decided to try my best to have at least a nice little border of something in my front yard. There is already a hydrangea bush that I am trying my hardest to keep from dying, and some little green things. And now is the time to plant myself some perennials.

Perennials, for the gardening illiterate, are flowers that you plant once and then they keep coming back year after year. Sweet! And dirt cheap... no pun intended? I went to a local store and picked up 50 jonquil bulbs (also known as daffodils) for $14.95 plus tax. Even if you only have a small patch of garden, think of how awesome it will be when, come spring time, up pop these bright and happy flowers? Tulips are also perennials; I am just partial to jonquils because they are my birth month flower! And yellow is my favorite color.

So today, I set out to plant (with the help of my green-thumbed mom) about 25 daffodil bulbs in my front yard. By digging down about 8 inches and planting bulbs 5 inches across, my blooms should have plenty of room to do their thing. We also added a little fertilizer in the hole to help things along. If Martha Stewart were there, she would have added some compost, but we can't all be perfect.

I'll update you in March as to how this whole experiment went... but for now I feel pretty confident about my adventures in gardening!

Stuff I Like This Week 10/24/2009

I know you missed this last week. Let's just be honest... stuff I like dominates your life.

1. Raking Leaves. Autumn is most definitely upon us and with that comes numerous outside chores. Besides cutting grass and pulling weeds (which is how I spent part of one of my precious days off), if you have basically any trees, you need to rake some leaves. A chore? Not at all. Let's talk about something taking you back to your childhood. I don't know about you, but I was a huge fan of raking leaves... and then of course jumping in them. But now that you are grown up, did you know that an hour of raking leaves burns about 300 calories? So get outside, enjoy the sunshine and crisp air, plug in your iPod, and make your yard look lovely.


2. Office Supplies. OK, I don't know if it's just me, but I missed the lesson on fax machines and multi-line phones. I am hopeless in my office. I think I've finally gotten the hang of the fax machine, but I still can't transfer a call to save my life. Maybe it is a generational thing... I can do everything else better than the other women in my office. But I swear they might fire me if I accidentally hang up on another client. Therefore, I have decided I am a HUGE fan of traditional office supplies. And I showed my love by completely reorganizing the supply closet at work-- without even being asked. I loved it; I got out the label maker and went to town. And now that everything is organized, I can enjoy the magicalness of a brand new Sharpie point or an unblemished binder. It's the simple things in life, really.


3. Ingrid Michaelson. It's not like she has a new CD or anything, but I have just been on a big kick of her music. I saw her live opening for Matt Nathanson last year and she was so down to earth and chill-- awesome. And no, she is not just that girl who is always featured on Grey's Anatomy. My friend Meg inspired the re-listen by suggesting her song "The Chain" for a mix, and I fell in love all over again. If you need something relaxed for work or something, try her quirky melodies... and admire the skill behind singing about having sex like bunnies.

4. The New iMacs. I am a devoted Apple droid. I will admit it, and proudly. As an artist, I just have to believe they are just by far superior to PCs. Yes, they are sometimes more expensive, but I will take that over viruses and crappy operating systems. And now... there is a new generation. With 27" monitors and wireless keyboards and intuitive mouse included, these desktops have immediately found a place in my heart. There is a new MacBook as well, but I am a MacBook Pro kind of girl so I am not as excited. I have been looking at getting a high-powered desktop recently since my MacBook Pro has been suffering from the onslaught of programs I use at one time. Done and done.

5. Gilda's Club. This organization is hands-down one of the best non-profits out there. Named for SNL star Gilda Radner, this place offers a home-like environment for anyone affected by cancer... not just people with cancer. As a child with two parents who have suffered from cancer (my mother is a breast cancer survivor and my father is currently undergoing treatment for colon cancer), I definitely understand the need for somewhere to go for support. As a part of Junior League, we spent yesterday setting up for Noogiefest, a sort of fall festival for the kids who enjoy Gilda's Club. They have many chapters around the United States, so google it and see if you might be able to find a volunteer opportunity. Your time will not be wasted!

Incognito

I feel like there should be some sort of flogging or something as punishment for not blogging for as long as I have not blogged. Like fifty lashes or maybe a little bit of water boarding or something. Simulated drowning might get me typing faster.

In all honesty, I have felt stalled these past few weeks. Nothing has really been going on at the house, and therefore it seems nothing much has been going on in my life. Class has lost its novelty, and work has been stressful rather than exciting. I went to South Carolina last weekend, which was fun obviously, but it was just like pressing the pause button and then having to fast forward to catch up. It was also like a montage of past errors, but that is a different story for a different time, and probably not within the blogosphere.

The good news is: I am back, and hopefully better than ever. I made a lot of progress today; despite still recovering from a weekend devoid of sleep, I managed to cut my grass, run some pertinent errands, and meet with a contractor. And the GREAT news? I think I have actually decided on a contractor! More about the actual decision process later, but it was a relatively easy gut decision and I am very relieved and ready to get started.

So here we are... I was discussing with my friend Molly today how mid-October is a much better time than New Year's to examine how far you have come in a year. This time last year, I was floundering. Now I have roots (quite literally) and I feel like I am going places. So there we are. Let's start building, shall we?

Stuff I Like This Week 10/10/09

1. Business Cards. Confession: my job is not real. OK, that is not true, but my title is basically non-existent and my role undefined. That's OK with me because I am gaining sooo much experience in Interior Design, and one day I will have a real card with a fancy title and embossed letters. Until then, I have decided to invest in my own. I considered putting a title like "freelance designer" or something like that on the cards, but then I decided not to... A. it doesn't sound too professional, and B. what if I don't do that for a long time? Anyway, I guess you could call what I got more like calling cards, but whatever. I chose to get 250 cute cards with my name, email, address, and phone number... oh and my blog! Anyway, now I finally have something to give to the people I meet who give me their cards... and they are super cute without being overly ridiculous. I got them for FIVE DOLLARS at VistaPrint.com and I am obsessed. So if you don't have some from your job, consider it. Can't hurt! (And note: they don't have the annoying company name on the back! Yay!)


2. Strong Boys. I like female equality. I am all for it. Not in the radical feminist way, but whatever. I know how to use tools and I appreciate when a guy cooks. But please tell me what is better than having a strong boy to do your physical labor? My move is going to be upon us soon and you had better believe I will recruit every guy I know with offers of beer and pizza... a fool-proof plan. And some of them may complain or try to duck out (coughRobbycough), but I know their mothers.


3. Pigment Liners. I discover these magical utensils while I studied abroad in Italy and I have been obsessed ever since. For four years, I have recommended nothing else. OK that is a lie. I do like Sharpie pens. But pigment liners give you a smooth crisp line that doesn't bleed and usually doesn't smudge. All good things. I have begun using them for my Interior Design class and couldn't be happier. And I have an amazingly strong revulsion to pencil, so that helps. Seriously. Pencils suck. Bring on the pigment liners please.




4. Files. I like organization. There may be clothes all over my floor, but my files are ALWAYS in order. Most recently, I have been on an organization kick at work. I recently redid every photo binder we have... which is a lot. And there is nothing more satisfying than a bunch of dividers lined up with printed labels and organizational happiness. I love it. I am a dork.



5. Target. OK, we know I love Target. It is amazing. Unfortunately, the Target near my house has been closed for renovations since February, forcing me to visit the Tar-ghetto outside of my normal realm of driving. NOT ANYMORE. Our Target finally reopened this week and I am amazed. I stopped to grab a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte as I walked through the gleaming red doors and wandered the aisles of happiness. One of the moms for whom I babysit said that it was such a surreal experience because everyone was so happy in the store... and she was right. Everyone was just basking in the glory of finally having our favorite retailer back in the neighborhood. And it helps that it is brighter, cleaner, and bigger than ever. Bring on the fun!

"It's like entering Wonka's chocolate factory..."

This morning, my Interior Architecture class went on a field trip. While this trip did not involve sitting on a big yellow school bus or packing a lunch in a brown paper bag, it was nonetheless one of my favorite school activities ever.

We went to Architectural Salvage, Louisville's premier place where architectural elements go to die. It is AMAZING. The ramshackle complex is sprawling and vast. Turn right at the claw-foot tubs, hang a left at the vintage doorknobs, and go straight through the banisters to get to the stained glass windows. Done and done.

The concept: when older buildings are being torn down or remodeled, they take random things like doors, fireplace mantels, light fixtures, and banisters to this store where they are priced and put up for resale. Not everything is affordable, but how much cooler is it to get a vintage glass door knob for $15.00 rather than a brand faux brushed nickel one for a little less?

Luckily for you, places like this are not found only in Louisville. Google architectural salvage yards in your area and find lots of fun random things. Go get lost. Get inspired. Start coveting a range from the 1940s or a carved mahogany mantelpiece. I certainly got more than a few ideas for my place... oh, and for my Interior Architecture final project too, of course.

Pest Control

The temperatures are dropping steadily. We're putting away the outdoor grills and tucking away our swimsuits for next year. I wore a sweater today and loved it.

The point is, it is getting cold, and it is getting to be autumn. As discussed, I love autumn. I think most people do. It is, hands down, the most amazing season.

You know who else likes autumn? PESTS.

Mice. Termites. Crickets. Spiders. Rats. Roaches. Millipedes. Ants. Bugs. Vermin (or vermit as my dad calls them). Whatever they may be, these little guys know it is getting cold. They feel it in their little spider legs and their tiny mouse tails. The millipedes feel it in each of their thousand feet. And they have one thought on their tiny little bug brains... get warm.

Where do they go to get warm? Your house. It doesn't matter how clean you are, they are coming. And that creeps me out.

October is the time to call Mr. Bug Killer Man and bring him on out. I know all you PETA people are probably hating me, but I don't care. I want my house sprayed for anything and everything.

In the interest of unfailing blog honesty, I have a confession. Last week, I found a mouse outside my house. I may have accidentally run over it with my car. I really didn't mean to, I didn't even know it was there. After squealing and screaming and calling my mom in a panic, calmed down enough to dispose of him (my hose works!) and realize that this is not the end of the world. Additionally, it is not that uncommon for older homes to have issues like this.

So call around your city. Most exterminators offer a seasonal package where they will come spray your house once every ninety days and guarantee you won't see any more bugs (I like that idea). The initial fee is around $150 depending on the package, with a follow up of around $50 every three months. That quote is a little higher because it includes getting rid of yucky "rodents," such as our dearly departed friend Mr. Mouse. It can't hurt to call... most places will give you a free estimate depending on the size and structural elements of your home.

Forget the childhood conditioning of An American Tail, Mickey, and The Secret of Nimh. Pests are no good and as a responsible homeowner, you need to take care of them. Bug off.

Holy Bottle Caps, Batman!

OK so I know it has been awhile since I mentioned the awesome wine cork board, but I just had to throw this in there: what goes better with a wine cork bulletin board than bottle cap thumbtacks?

In the original entry, I suggested using some cute retro tacks from Target, but I revise that decision. Instead, grab some of the cheap metal flat-top thumbtacks (not the plastic ones that you usually see). Using a metal adhesive (available in most craft stores) or simple super glue, adhere the thumbtacks to the inside of some of your favorite bottle caps for a quick and easy decorative amendment to your sweet bulletin board.

Seasonal or local brews are probably the coolest choice for sources of caps. I will judge you if you use some from Mike's Hard Lemonade or Smirnoff Ice. To each his own, but seriously? And while you might have a plethora of Bud Light caps hanging around, maybe aim high one weekend and expand your horizons. Now since you have these up in your kitchen forever, your friends will remember how cool you are for much longer. Go for it.

I'm off to guzzle some Ale 8...

Stuff I Like This Week 10/3/2009

1. www.1000awesomethings.com. OK so maybe I am behind and everyone else already knows about this, but I am loving this blog. It is pretty self-explanatory... they list things that are awesome. Common pleasures such as pulling through a parking space so you don't have to back up and getting piggy-back rides are exalted. In addition, there are several hundred entries (they haven't gotten to 1000 yet) and that means hours of entertainment when you are bored and babysitting on a Friday night. I wonder who that could be?


2. Flu Shots. Yes, the oink flu is getting all the press, but the regular flu is still out there hanging around. And as a kid with two immuno-suppressed parents, I basically have no choice but to get stuck with a needle and endure the nausea I get when I think about getting shots. So anyway, for $24.99, arm yourself against the gross week of influenza that will most likely occur during the dreary days of winter. And despite my boo-hooing and almost throwing up on the pharmacist, it really wasn't that bad.


3. Outdoor Fireplaces. I am obsessed with October. It is one of the only times I seriously love being outside. It is colorful and amazing. And it is starting to get cold. Thus, I heart outdoor fireplaces. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to build one right now, but one of my friends has one and I am obsessed. There is nothing more awesome than curling up in front of a warm, contained fire, while enjoying the brisk October air and the sound of the crickets that are all over my house.


4. You Don't Know Jacques. I am not sure how many of my readers are female versus male, but ladies, this OPI nail color is the best thing to ever happen to my hands. Ever since my friend Meg introduced me to the idea of gray nail polish almost a year ago, I have been searching for the perfect shade. Released this past July, You Don't Know Jacques is a neutral without being boring and trendy without being black. I tried to switch to red, and it just didn't do it for me anymore. Go gray.


5. Color Twinkle Lights. Some people call them tacky, I call them retro and awesome. I fully intend to string some on my patio when I finally move in. I will bask in their complimenting glow and enjoy every minute of it.

Battle of the Sexes

I am a child of the millennium, according to the women at my office at least. I prefer to communicate through electronic means, such as emails, tweets, and (duh) blogs. I am attached to my Blackberry and my MacBook Pro is my child.

Part of growing up in this generation is believing that women and men are equal. However, I am also a Southern girl, which means I expect a man to hold the door open for me as he ushers me through the glass ceiling.

But I digress. The point is, I am naive and expected to be treated as an equal by contractors... after all, I am a strong, capable, single woman who has purchased her own home and is going to be paying someone to do some construction for me. However, I was mistaken. Despite being the one making the calls, scheduling appointments, sharing ideas, and writing checks, I have been treated like a silly little girl by several potential contractors. While I understand that I may not be the most knowledgeable individual when it comes to construction, I am not an idiot. I am coming to these men with well-drafted plans and an open pocketbook, and they are treating me like a simpleton.

Now, I need to be careful not to generalize. Two of the four contractors I have met with have been very respectful and will be more likely to get the job because of that fact. However, one I met with yesterday blew me away with his condescending, misogynistic attitude. All was going OK until we started discussing his bid for the job. He actually asked me if he should call my dad or my husband about the numbers. I wish I were kidding.

I informed him that this was my home and that everything regarding construction would go through me. Whatever. Good riddance to bad rubbish. Really, I am not trying to make a generalization about contractors, but let this serve as a warning to young female home-buyers: you have to be assertive. This is your home, you are in charge, and you call the shots. Be strong. Be proud. Be a homeowner.

Goin' Green

So maybe this makes me spoiled and ridiculous, but I have never mowed a lawn before. My parents always had a service to do it and ever since I have been on my own, I have rented apartments. Apparently, part of owning a home is lawn care. Thus, today, I embarked on my first outdoor adventure. And despite a few mishaps, I think I did pretty well!

Now, I am not going to sit here and pretend to be super environmentally-conscious. I drive an

SUV and I leave lights on when I don't mean to. I apologize. But I do try to make an effort as far as my carbon footprint or whatever that mumbo jumbo is about. Also, I am cheap. Therefore, when it came time to purchase my very own lawn mower, I chose one powered with nothing but my blood, sweat, and tears. That's right... an old school push reel lawn mower. It also helped that it was on sale for $70 as opposed to the hundreds of dollars for the gas or electric fancy schmancy ones.

First, I had to assemble this bad boy. Little known fact: I freaking love putting stuff together. Some assembly required are like the magic words. Done and done. Get me some sort of wrench thing and I am good to go.

That's right, I am awesome. I was terrified to take the cardboard off the blades until I absolutely had to. I am a baby. Also, that thing on the back meant to catch clippings? No thanks; it ended up just jamming the thing all the time. See ya. Also, apparently, some grass clipping left on the freshly mown grass are good. I'll take it. And now remember kids, always wear proper footwear... no flip flops. And while I opted for my top-siders, there are probably better options. Anyway, point is: be safe. I lost a finger in third grade (they reattached it, no worries), but ever since then, I have grown rather attached to my appendages. Just sayin'.

OH MY GOD LOOK AT ME GO! In all honesty, I was kind of surprised that it worked. But it did! My arms are a little sore, but over all, it was not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. So if you have a lawn, especially a smaller one, consider going green with a push reel mower. Not only is it awesome vintage-looking, it is a great work out. Oh, and good for the environment.

Autumn Cleaning

Spring cleaning is sooo two seasons ago. This September and October, autumn cleaning is all the rage. I am not saying you should completely give up your spring cleaning, but everyone needs a good purge of stuff this time of year.

This afternoon, my mom and I spent a few hours cleaning out the garage at my new house. (Side note: my mom is crazy and claims she actually likes that kind of stuff; I told her to come on over whenever.) Not only was the weather perfect for such a task, it actually didn't take as long as one might think. I am not such a fan of getting dirty, or bugs, or dust, or sweat... but it actually wasn't that bad!

The previous owners left a few things that honestly had probably been there even before they moved in. Most of it was trash, but we did find some really cool salvageable things. For example, an old brass day bed that is missing pieces... oh no problem, I'll turn you into a border for my herb garden (don't laugh, I am totally considering growing one... I get ambitious). We also found about 300 feet of usable garden hose, which is pretty awesome since I am close to sure that it is longer than my lot. Also go several planters and some cool metal tea light holders. I love finding stuff!

It really is a good time to throw stuff out. A lot of trash pick-ups will have a special "junk" day around this time of the year where they will pick up big items like furniture. Also, for areas like a garage, you are going to want to start parking your car under cover more often once the weather gets gross. And as disgusting as it is to think about, now is the time to consider pest control... before the little critters get cold and look for some comfy lodgings in your home.

The bottom line is that autumn is the time to prepare to hunker down in your home... by making it as clean and tidy as you can. So take advantage of the sunny yet cool days and get to work! And let me know if you'd like some help from my mom...