house hunting

B and I are at the beginning phase of purchasing our first home. As in, we've met a realtor we like, who has worked with friends and they had a great experience with her. We are planning on going to get preapproved at the end of the month, and have already been going on showings with her.

Here is the problem:

Via

The housing market here in Fort Worth is a "buyers market". Which is delightful. The problem is I have inherited a fine palette from my mother who has impeccable taste. I have a desired neighborhood. I like some of the houses that are currently on the market, but they seem to have stopped adding new homes for sale. I feel like I am constantly looking at the same houses over and over again. There are two homes in which B and/or I deemed acceptable but would, of course, still require adjustments.

I am a reasonable person. I do not expect to be moving into this house for our starter home.

Via



Not that I'd complain! But I know that is not really in our reach at the age of 27. All I ask for is a 3/2 or 3/3. If you can give me a 4/3 that's even better - that means we can stay longer when we decide to grow our family. I also know that no home will be perfect. Each homeowner has their own personal tastes and preferences that must be adjusted to fit their own needs.

I would, however, love for some more reasonably priced options to appear on the market. Everyone keeps telling me summer is the time to buy! So, we're ready. Let the games begin...or, as Hunger Games would put it, "May the odds be ever in your favor" :)

Via

ten questions

I have a guilty pleasure. Bravo's Inside the Actors Studio is fantastic, in a big way. I dvr it religiously. So far, my favorite episodes have been Kate Hudson, Betty White and George Clooney. The show gives insight to your favorite actors' lives and careers.

My favorite part of the show is toward the end. James Lipton, the host, asks ten questions that originated from a french television host named Bernard Pivot. Watching the show so much, I got to thinking about what my answers are to these questions. I thought it would be fun to share

What is your favorite word?  Bless

What is your least favorite word?  No

What turns you on?  Laughter

What turns you off?  Lack of ambition

What sound do you love?  Two things: the sound of a champagne cork popping & my cats' meow

What sound do you hate?  Finger nails scratching grosgrain ribbon or another fabric with similar texture

What is your favorite curse word?  F*$k

What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?  Interior designer

What profession would you not like to do?  Mortician

If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?  Come on in, my dahlin'! Some of your favorite people already started the party.

What would your answers be? And don't you want to watch the show now to find out the answers to your favorite stars??? I highly suggest it.

operation: make us a home - trunk edition

This has been a long post coming. You remember my camp trunk? I finally got around to transforming it.

I started way back before the holidays. B & I went to OKC to visit my parents. They have an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint dealer near so Mom and I made a trip and picked my paint. I knew I wanted a pop of color and it needed to be different from my chairs and area rug. Too much blue mixing and it would have looked ridiculous and matchy match {my most hated decorating idea}. So, I chose Antibes Green.

Upon first look what does one see?

via

The Incredible Hulk.

Look passed the brightness and know that there are techniques to tone it down.

I started with my muscle, AKA, the husband.

Since this piece had raised lettering I did have to do a little sanding so it would be an even surface. Thank goodness for B and an electric sander.

Then we moved onto the painting. Since chalk paint is so wonderful there was no need for priming. I could have if I wanted and it would have probably taken less paint, but there was no need, per say.

My assistant fell asleep on the job.

I did have to apply several coats since the red and the lettering were pretty dark but it dries so fast I still managed it all in one evening. After the painting was done, I moved on to waxing. I knew that to mask the Incredible Hulk green I would need to use more of the dark wax than I used on my chairs. 

I applied dark wax and then clear wax, using a rag to wipe away some of the dark wax. I had to do this several times to get the texture or look that I really wanted. I struggled with the look for a while. I wanted it done before Thanksgiving since we were hosting so I just got through that part quickly. It was good enough to have as my end table for the holidays.

After the holidays, I finally got back to the project. I then had to find feet for my trunk! I thought this was going to be significantly easier than it was. Mostly because I'm thrifty...I did not want bun feet. The trunk is so boxy that adding round feet would have looked so awkward. I finally found reasonable feet from Van Dykes Restorers.

I painted them, waxed them and then again turned to the muscle for assistance. B had to drill a hole through the bottom of the trunk. We then used a drill to attach the feet and such. I used some gold Rub 'n Buff on the hardware and edges of the trunk and voila!

I used some of my favorite books, a wedding photo, an artisan pot that we got as a wedding gift (I had no where to display it before) and a yummy candle to accessorize and I'm done!

I'm not sure if there are really any other projects I can do to the apartment. I guess B & I will just have to start the house hunt....what a pain ;) I jest, but ohhh man, will the house projects be aplenty when we find the right house! Until then, I'll enjoy my comfortable apartment living.



announcement

I have a new profession. As of August 20th, tentatively, I will also adopt the role of aunt. :) My sister-in-law is pregnant with her first baby. Now that it is facebook official, I am allowed to disclose my extreme excitement. The job of an aunt is a special one. It involves very serious stuff such as: spoiling, always having gum, providing a kind ear to listen and a gentle word of encouragement, special treats that only Aunt Katie & Uncle B will provide and so much more.

etsy.com

We do not know the gender of the sweet petite but we will soon find out! I am waiting with bated breath. That will then determine: the name, the shower decor and ideas and the clothes I purchase from Zulily.com. If you have kids or have babes in the family and are not a part of this you are totally missing out. It has the most adorable clothes and toys for not only the tykes but also fun stuff for mom! My boss convinced me to sign up for it, as she is a new mother, and oh gosh...she may create a monster. If this baby is a girl, all my ruffled dreams will come true. See, I know know that I will have all boys. Isn't that the way life works? I'm the epitome of girly girl. Insofacto, I'm having all boys.

I did however dream that this baby was a boy and his name was Kaden. That name isn't even on their short list, but I took it as a sign that maybe we will all be seeing blue in the next month.

I'm grateful for pinterest in this time of creativity. Its got all my juices flowing in how to shower the mommy-to-be. As my first baby shower, I need a little guidance since I don't want to put everyone through the AWFUL games. No one wants to guess what candy bar is in the diaper, appearing dirty. NO THANK YOU. So I picture more of a social hour with delightful tastes and drinks for all. I'm accepting all suggestions! I obviously still have some time on my hands, but with two bachelorette parties to plan this summer I figure I better stay on my A-game. So, here's to baby H! We're excited you're on your way.

happy valentine's day

 thecolorsofmymind.tumblr.com 

Happy Valentine's Day, folks! I hope you have a wonderful day filled with love in everything that you do. I will be spending the evening with my valentines, B & Ringo. Since we love to cook and that is some of our favorite time together we are making a feast! ...And possibly watching the second night of the Westminster Dog Show. Its an odd obsession, I know, but I watch it every year. Don't worry, Ringo is still our best in show. Happy day of love!!!!

out-cooked

B has done it again. He has out-cooked me. This trend, although delicious, is making me feel far inferior in the kitchen, a place where I feel like I should reign!!!

Poor hubs was sick last week and stayed home Friday to get some rest and dope himself up on medicines. Luckily, he also enjoyed some Food Network time and saw the most amazing Asian-inspired turkey burgers. Yes, it sounds VERY odd, I know. But omg!!! They were so good. I have one for lunch today too. I paired it with my Aunt Rose's Asian slaw recipe that I always love. Sorry there are no photos, since we didn't know they would turn out this good I didn't even think to grab my camera!

The burger recipe is so flavorful, I didn't even eat it with a bun - way to cut a few calories!! It didn't need any sauce or dip. It was perfect and moist, which can be hard for a turkey burger. Overall, we had a wonderful and healthy Superbowl Sunday.

Turkey Burger by Anne Burrell on Food Network:
-Extra virgin olive oil
-One onion, diced
-Salt
-Two cloves of garlic, smashed and finely chopped
-1 1/2 pounds of ground turkey
-1/4 cup soy sauce
-1-inch fresh piece of ginger, grated
-8 oz can of water chestnuts, drained and coarsely chopped
-Half a bunch of cilantro leaves, finely chopped

Coat a large pan with olive oil. Add onions, season with salt and bring to a medium-high heat. Cook approximately 7-8 minutes, until onion is soft and aromatic. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 more minutes. Turn off heat and let cool.

In a large bowl combine turkey, soy sauce, ginger, water chestnuts, cilantro and cooked onion and garlic. Add 1/4 - 1/2 cup of water to keep the burgers moist. Using your hands, squish everything together, mixing well and form patties.

The recipe on Food Network suggests cooking the burgers in the pan used to cook the onion and garlic in but we decided to grill them since we also needed to grill chicken for B's lunch for the week. I loved the char on the outside of them and they were still moist inside.

Oriental Slaw:
-Cabbage or broccoli slaw
-Ramen
-Sunflower seeds
-Toasted slivered almonds
-Green onion
Dressing:
 -3/4 cup of canola or vegetable oil
-1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
-1/2 cup of brown sugar
-Soy sauce to taste

Mix the dressing ingredients together really well, so sugar dissolves. If you're using one bag of slaw, I would cut the dressing measurements in half. That much will create too much and drown the slaw. Put in refrigerator several hours or over night.

Combine the slaw ingredients. I eye it on how much to add of the ramen, almonds, onion and sunflower seeds. Its your own creation so just add what you like! When ready to serve mix the dressing in and serve. You won't be sorry! Its delicious and works so well with the burger.

Bon Appetite!

epic fail

Last weekend was an epic fail. I didn't make it to New York. After a Thursday of sniffles, drugging myself up and sleeping all afternoon, I got a stomach bug on Friday and had to postpone my trip. Disappointment doesn't begin to cover the emotions I felt.

Luckily, Kristen and Libby still went shopping. They didn't find THE dress, but I think may be narrowing down the type or silhouette. I'm still going to get there! I'm bound and determined. It just may have to wait until March. February is already booked up with work, bachelorette party and a ski trip to top it off!

So, New York, New York!!! Until we meet again...