2010 Projects

Overall, I was not a fan of 2010, and am very much so looking forward to a new year. But, factoring out any personal issues – 2010 was a fabulous year for my house.

I had an unrealistic list of desired goals to accomplish this year, and while I didn't accomplish all of them – I did get an insane amount done.

So here's my goals for 2010 and how I measured up...

Doors and Trim
All the doors are done. As for the trim, the kitchen, master and third bedroom are left.

Family Room
- Buy a new TV and console table:

- Paint fireplace white/spraypaint screen black:

- Get a new coffee table:

Half Bath
- Paint walls blue and vanity white:

Hall and master bath
- Put frames around the mirrors – FAIL

Office
- Add stripes:

- Rip out carpet:

- Give the office a new look:

The Hallway
- Rip out carpet, sand, stain and poly:

Outside
- Upgrade all fixtures – FAIL

Man Cave
- Figure out the sofa situation – FAIL

- Build a bar/figure out kegerator thing:

- Start putting the tins on the wall:


Other notable projects...

- Stenciling a houndstooth wall:

- Updating the wet bar:

- Wine cork dresser


Other 2010 events...

- Designing the Westie Rescue of Missouri calendar

- The beer-tasting party (aka: Brent's 30th)

December's books

Books read in December: 6
Books listened to in December: 2

Books:
71. "Holy Smokes" by Katie MacAlister (Guardian #4)
72. "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy #1)
73. "Frostbite" by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy #2)
74. "Shadow Kiss" by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy #3)
75. "Blood Promise" by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy #4)
76. "Last Sacrifice" by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy #6)

Audiobooks:
37. "The Lady in the Tower" by Alison Weir
38. "Spirit Bound" by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy #5)

I don't see myself getting anymore reading accomplished, so these are my stats for the year. Not as good as last years, but I'm okay with that.

In honor of the last Vampire Academy book coming out, I decided to reread the series before diving into the final book. I love this series, and the final book did not disappoint. Screw Team Edward, I'm Team Dimitri.

Christmas wrap up

Brent and I just finished hosting our first Christmas with his family, and I'm happy to say it was a success. And now that that's over, Christmas for us is basically done. Brent and I got some amazing gifts, but here are the highlights...

Bissell Lift-off Mulitcyclonic Pet Upright (this vacuum has already received a trial run, and we are in love).

14 water goblets (not sure how we forgot to register for these guys, but we have them now):

Crate & Barrel Axel Shiny Wall Art:

Windermere Serveware (Another thing, we forgot to register for. So far our collection now consists of the serving spoon, slotted spoon, serving fork, lasagna server, cake server and gravy boat ladle. Not bad at all).

After Christmas sales

There's nothing like a day-after-Christmas sale to put me in the holiday spirit. As usual, I hit up Crate & Barrel. I didn't acquire as many goodies as I usually do, but I am loving what I got.

Cooks tools ornament and 2 sets of frame ornaments:
Handpainted Nutcracker ornament set:
I got the 12 Days of Christmas set several years during this sale, and they are some of my favorite ornaments. So once I saw these guys, I knew I had to have them.

But, I am most excited about this...

Large silver ornament tree:
Anyone else luck out today with holiday goodies?

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas. Brent and I spent Christmas with my side this year, and had a blast. Lots of drinking was had...as always.

Cookie decorating

One of my favorite parts of the holidays, is decorating sugar cookies.

My passion started my senior year in high school, when I used cookie decorating as one of my AP art journal projects, and it's become a tradition ever since.


Each year, Brent and I also so our school spirit via cookie. It's rather obvious who made what. :)

Silhouette love

I've always been fascinated with silhouettes, but decided to take this love a step beyond just doing them of my dogs. My first subject was my god-daughter. I'm really happy with how it turned out.

Chip hearts houndstooth

I just acquired a super soft houndstooth throw from Kohls, and let's just say that Chip approves.


In other related news: When I told my mom about this, she got very frustrated. Apparently, she got me the same throw. Oops. What can I say – I heart houndstooth.

Container Store love

When I was at The Container Store in Dallas (yep, Kansas City does not have a Container Store, and yes, it makes me sad daily), I splurged on all things organization.

I found these fabulous acrylic stacking trays that I'm now obsessed with, because you can add/remove the dividers to your pleasing. I wish I got more than one while there. But at least my cosmetics drawer is finally organized:

Before:
After:

The mantle

This is the first year I've "gone all out" with a holiday mantle, and I am loving it.


Out of curiosity, I went back and checked out my mantle from last Christmas. Well, just see for yourselves.

2009:
2010:
Just a "bit" of a difference Is it bad that I already forgot we used to have carpet in there?

Tree #1 (the classic tree)

Tree #1 is the only tree that I struggled to name. This is the tree that denies no ornaments or colors. This tree is full of traditions, memories and presents, making it the most classic type of Christmas tree around.

The Classic Tree
This is the first time I've ever used colored lights, and I must say, I'm happy with the result. Since I'm so edited with color everywhere else in my house, I decided to say yes to color here.


Without a doubt, my ornament obsession began with my aunt (twice).

Each Thanksgiving, for 21 years, I would receive a needlepoint ornament from her. While some of the needlepoint patterns she picked for me are the classic Santas and snowmen, others reflect a part of my childhood – my cat Stinky, a ballet slipper and even a Sigma Kappa heart from when I pledged. These needlepoints are my keepsakes, and I know when I have children – I want to carry on her fabulous tradition.


The other ornament collection my aunt got me to love is the Kansas City Mayor's Christmas Tree ornaments. While this wasn't something I received from her every year, they meant enough that I now brave Crown Center Mall is acquire my annual treasure.


Sure, I have other collections on this tree now, but these are definitely the 2 that started my holiday passion. Thank you, Kathy.

Shutterfly deal

Brent and I had our holiday pictures taken this morning (thank you mom!), and now the search for the perfect holiday card has begun.

I've always been a fan of Shutterfly's holiday card selection, but this year they're offering something better than just amazing designs – they're offering 50-free cards to all bloggers. That's right, 50 free cards. It's the perfect freebie to get your holiday off to an amazing start.

I've just recently joined the Shutterfly craze, because originally the thought of joining another photo-sharing site was just too much to handle. But now, I'm so glad I finally sucked it up. I just adore their designs, and coming from a graphic designer, I feel that's the best compliments of all. They do more than just holiday cards too – they do birth announcements and birthday cards, which I had no idea about. I'm just happy a site that actually offers quality layouts is available at a reasonable price (because that is a difficult thing to find).

I narrowed my search down to 3 holiday cards (Brent didn't seem to find my original "final 20" on the funny side). To get a better idea, I put in the photos, and now I'm debating between 3. Opinions?


I also had my mom take a picture of us in the living room. I doubt I'll ever use this photo for anything, but I still think it's fun to look at. :)

Tree #2 {the penguin tree}

Some people like Santa, others snowmen – me, I like penguins.

The Penguin Tree
If, God forbid, I was only allowed to put one tree up, the penguin tree would be it. Sure it's not huge, and I'm not quite sure where the presents would go, but it's hands down my favorite tree (which is how it earned the prime real estate spot in the family room).

When I first told friends, family and Brent, my plans – I definitely received some, errr, looks. But I'm now happy to report how supportive everyone is about my penguin passion. One of my friends even brought me back a penguin ornament from Alaska.


As you can see, the tree is currently sans topper. While I really liked the penguin topper at Paper Source, I'd prefer something that's not made out of paper. So, I'm just going to hold out for now.


Some of the new penguin ornaments I've acquired this year: