to-copy-list

Hey, out there.

Here's a few things I've been wanting to "copy," um, so that I don't have to pay so much "dolla-dolla-bills-ya'll!" (Had to stick a Bridesmaids reference in there.)

felt garland

via the inspired room

wood picture hangers

via potterybarn

(I may use vintage door knobs, wood/ceramic/glass)

linen-covered cork board

via potterybarn

(This could be a fraction of the price if DIY)

patterned slipcover

great if you have pets & also are too timid to commit to patterned furniture

framed text

easily changed for holidays & inexpensive

plate shelving

i'd like to take the shelf & rail look into a wall system

architectural chair railing

used to frame & extend ceiling

playful office organization

paint works wonders, via the inspired room

perfect kitchen

open shelving, farm sink, butcher block, colored cabinets & wainscoting backsplash, via the inspired room

christmas cookies

i will honor christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year long.

charles dickens, the christmas carol

This weekend I made sugar & spritz cookies with my grandma.

She takes cookie making very serious and has orders that must be mailed out on time to all my cousins.  Dozens & dozens cranked out and off to the post office.

We have fun.

Her supply of colored sugars & sprinkles will last generations, so I'm looking forward to more cookies to make... and eat!

I was there for the good company, but managed to enjoy the fruits of our labor as well!

fah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la.

Christmas is all around.

I'm much more merry than in past years.  Maybe it's the house, maybe it's the decorations, maybe it's watching Rudolph the Rednosed Raindeer.

Do you like the new wreath?
M thinks it's excessive to have two wreaths.  Needless to say, I disagree.

I don't know, but I'm off to turn on some holiday tune-age.

*snapshot of my winter walk with teddy today*

thank*full

Hello!  How was your holiday?

Mine was great, here's some photos to prove it.

We first went down to my aunt's, where we walked into a house filled of perfect smells.  

*the spread*

*the centerpiece*

*the china*

*feeling left out*

Poor Teddy was all too aware of the good eats that weren't for her.

(Don't worry, she got spoiled a wee bit.  Actually, she had the turkey, I had the stuffing.)

 *patience pays*

*the beggar*

*after dinner walk in bluff country*

We rounded out the weekend with M's family, where we indulged on Thanksgiving2.0..OhnoIatetoomuch.
Fun all around, kind of wish I had it to look forward to again.
Wait there's Christmas!
Whew.

real [estate] therapy

Are you looking for a house?  If so, do you have a decent budget?

When a little blue, I online shop... for real estate.  Houses make me happy and distract me from my woes with built-ins, subway tiles, sun porches and high ceilings.  While we found our right house, therapy is therapy.  I really can't justify not looking at EdinaRealty.com.

So, below are a few local finds, I’ll be your real estate agent today.  And if you happen to buy one of these?  I’m strongly suggesting you invite me over for dinner, so I can see it for real.

(Note: All of these houses are in the Kenwood area, and I searched sale listings from most expensive to least... Soooo, clearly a little bit of dreaming is going on...)

Behind door number one, we have a grand Colonial, symmetrical in its beauty and intimidating in scale.  Can't have just one fireplace, must have two; can't stop at one library, must add another.  And for a cool three mill, this LOTI (Lake of the Isles) home is yours.  Get it while interest rates are low!  :)

Behind door number two we have a historical Lowry house.  A large Tudor with mahogany detailing, barrel ceilings and smart renovations.  I'd feel pretty grand living here.  And by grand, I mean rich.

While house number three borders on slightly too Modern for my liking, the whiteness of the place wins me over!  So does the breakfast nook.

House number four is a "Nora" house (sorry, Brothers & Sisters reference), warm, golden and filled with cozy places to sit.  I'd really like to sit on the porch, in the bedroom or on the patio and read a good book. :)

Number five is an oasis.  If you don't believe me, check out the nude statue in the garden; this place is legit.  Complete with wicker furniture, gauzy white curtains and french doors, this home is owned, no doubt, by someone who does yoga.  This is a calm, contemplative home; no mess aloud!

Lastly, we have house number six.  I admit the curb appeal is meh (well, in comparison to the other multi-million dollar homes), but its interior is killer.  I'm in love with the dining room.  If ever one would buy a house based on one room, I would strongly consider.  Who does wallpaper anymore?  Especially that wallpaper!  And who brings wainscoting that high?  Killer.  Smart.  Not for the timid, I like.

 

So, I don't know about you, but I feel a whole lot better!

Ready to buy? ;)