Busy bee

Between my new job and my best friend's wedding, it's been a busy week.


Brent and I had been waiting a long time for this wedding. When Brent and I walked down the aisle on June 16, 2007 – we paired up our 2 great (and then single) friends as bridesmaid and groomsman. Being at their wedding yesterday, was an amazing full-circle experience.

As you can tell, Brent had a terrible time:

And with me hosting my mom's 60th birthday wine-tasting party next weekend, things won't be slowing down anytime soon.

Curb Appeal (days 6 & 7)

When I bought the toppers for the retaining wall, I pictured them all just fitting and looking amazing. Somehow I didn't process that the toppers are rectangular and the retaining wall is curved.

So, while I pictured perfection - my reality was:

My reality from the front door was even more obvious:

So, I handed off this project to Brent, who conquered it like a champ.

While there are several ways to cut stones, he used a circular saw with masonry blades. (Please note the plural on that – there's a reason those blades are only $2.50 each. He went through 7 blades with this project).

While Brent was cutting the toppers, he reminded me of Pig Pen from Charlie Brown, because of all the dust flying around him:

Once the toppers were cut, the view from the front door was much better:
After everything was laid out how we wanted it, we used landscape block adhesive to make sure the toppers stayed on.

All the hard work definitely paid off:

Now it's on to the fun part – figuring out what to plant.

In other rush week news: The leaves have been picked up and the man cave ceiling is done!

This post was supposed to be awesome

Today's post was supposed to look like this:
Now it's more:
The sectional we were supposed to have delivered today is a no go.

The guys at the furniture store we are working with have been amazing (Brent and them basically talk daily). They even special ordered us the perfect sectional (meaning it would fit in the landing and turn a sharp corner), but the manufacturer's Web site had the wrong measurements. So, we're back to square one.

We've considered the modular sectionals, but I think the basic sofa and loveseat is the winner. We're headed back to the store on Sunday, and hopefully we'll fall in love. Again.

Peacock fabulousness

My cousin is getting married(!!!), and I'm thrilled. She's doing the peacock theme, and wanted her bridal shower to reflect that as well. No problem here – it's giving me 2 opportunities to embrace this ever-so-popular peacock trend.

I haven't battled the wedding invite yet, but I'm loving the shower invite:

In home news: We start the other built-ins tomorrow night!

Rush week

With my new job starting on Monday, reality of how few house projects (and how many TV series) were accomplished. So, I've decided to work my tail off the rest of the week and see what happens.

Projects include: finish picking up all the dead leaves in the landscape, the retaining wall top, the man cave ceiling and the built-ins on the other side of the stairs. Even thinking about it makes me want to take a nap, but it will be worth it.

Brent even kicked off the party with some built-in prepping:

It's going to look so good! I can't wait.

For the questions about cutting retaining wall stones, I will tackle that topic when I discuss the topper situation. So hopefully very soon. :)

After 9 weeks (and 2 days)

After a 2-month, TV-watching hiatus, I am happy to report I got a job! I am so excited to enter the world of magazine design. It's what I've always wanted to do, but didn't think possible without moving to a larger city.

I start on Monday, so this week will consist of finishing up as many projects as possible.

Flower power

The sun is finally out, and the flowers are blooming.

Just 2 months ago, the landscape was looking like this:

Well, hello spring:

My plan is to just add a little bit each year to the back. And this year, with the focus being on the front yard, I do mean "little." And then one day, it will hopefully become a fabulous English garden.

After seeing how strong the 2 asiatic lilies I added last year were coming in, I decided to add 2 more. I also thought a knockout rose bush and paw print stone would make great additions.


Since my dogs love running through the landscape, I have to leave paths for them. I also have to stick with thicker flowers so Macintosh and Chip will run around not over the flowers. (Last year, the zinnias I planted didn't last a single day).

The flowers that the dogs would destroy, go in the pots:

While I am trying a few new flowers, for the most part I am sticking with what worked.

In other news: I would love some jobs vibes tomorrow. The place I did the design test for, wants me to come in for a second interview. I really want this job, so it's getting tough to be nonchalant about this whole process.