single panes

We have single pane windows - which means we have the equivalent of syran wrap blocking us from the world outside.  So we did what any energy efficient consumer would do - we got some curtains (we are renters after all, replacing windows isn't up to us).  Originally I thought they were going to be thicker, but they'll do the trick until I can back them with something a bit more sturdy.

I'm always amazed how homey curtains make a room feel.  I am very pleased with the addition, and so is the  number 1 interior designer in the family - Barkley.

the weekend

We got a lounge chair for our deck after it was clear that with Mike starting his MBA program, that our apartment was too small - what, that connection isn't clear to you?  No, you see, if he is reading on the couch for school, then I am relegated to our bedroom - where the only spot to sit is on the bed.  Beds are for sleeping.

Making our deck more of an extension of our living room was just the ticket.  (Pardon the bins behind me, the deck still needs to be our "garage"  as well.)  But now that we have plants (that I have only partially killed, but are coming back to life), a rocking chair and the lounge chair.  We are set.  We even ate sandwiches outside for dinner last week! I know! Big news! We can live here without going insane with the lack of space for a good 35 plus years. OK, no we can't. But it's working for now.

Blogging outside with a cup of coffee on a Saturday morning is great. Barkley is happy, I'm happy.  

project in the bathroom

Huh, that title can be taken a few different ways.

The project that I am going to talk about today is revamping the pictures that hung above the towel bars in our second bathroom.  You see, I am pretty sure that I have had these frames/mattes for over 10 years and the white mattes just started to look a bit dingy.  The problem was, they fit the space well and the postcards that were in the frames were still looking good as new.  So I figured if I just recovered the mattes, I could have another 10 years worth of bathroom fun. (OK I might get sick of them before that, but you get what I mean.)

I got the wrapping paper at The Container Store for $4.99 a roll - which by the way has quite a selection of modern - patterned paper.  The paper was of really great quality as well, but only a very small amount (probably would wrap 2 shirt boxes). I was able to cover both mattes in one roll...well, I should have been able to cover both mattes in one roll, but my first attempt I didn't pay attention to the fact that I should get the lines square and the paper was crooked. So, after going back to The Container Store for another roll of paper, I was back in business.

Ta Da!

Much better, if I do so so myself. 

$10 to make the bathroom in our rental a bit more exciting...I'll take it.

two hundred and three

where has the time gone? really meaning...why wasn't I paying attention to celebrate post numero 200 with a big high five, Holy Cmoly, I've babbled 200 times!?! So, in honor of post number 203, way to go! Yahoo! Thank YOU for checking my blog and reading about my recent wine bottle or a trip to wine country, or another Barkley post (or just still remembering to check in every so often as I haven't been very diligent about posting lately.  Sorry about that. I'll get better. I promise.)

We've lived in California for two years. We've been in our apartment that entire time (mainly because we have no desire to pack and move.) But it's a good spot, it's convenient and Barkley enjoys hanging out on the deck. 

But, when you live and work in the exact same 1000 square feet, sometimes you (ok, me) go beserk.  One could say a bit stir crazy. So things needed to be shaken up in the apartment to make it home-y.  Oddly enough a growing puppy (she finally fit into the extremely large crate that we bought her when she was 3 lbs.) and a new television prompted such a shake up.  So I thought what better time to take a gander around our apartment.  Happy post #203 to you!

 [our new tv may have the HGTV logo branded into the bottom of the screen...we could watch House Hunters 'til the cows come home]

 [do you see our lovely side window by the couch? (the only window in the picture...of course you see it), a piece of paper could stop more wind that that "window"... we love living on an end unit, however, the windows leave a bit to be desired during this cold spell we are experiencing]

 [where knitting projects go to die...

the cream scarf is my first knitting project ever attempted, and it's still on the needles

the basket is made by my mom - isn't she so crafty?]

[my sonicare electric toothbrush recently died after 7 trusty years, so until I get a Bed, Bath & Beyond coupon in the mail, I'm embracing the old school toothbrush being housed in our creamer.]

Joy To The World

Pardon me, but I love Christmas.  Even without the snow that Minneapolis is enjoying (OK, not the folks at the metrodome, but the kids that get to make snow forts, complete with snow couches, snow kitchens and snow toilets) I'm still enjoying getting into the Christmas spirit.  I could listen to Christmas carols all the live long day - and I do! It isn't until I start decorating for Christmas that I realize, we have no shelves!  Eleven of the twelve months out of the year, I'm a minimalist. I don't like crap sitting out.  But then December rolls around and I'm like, "We NEED shelves! We need more tables to set things about! We need a refill on our glass of wine!"

no, really I seriously need a refill..

[This is one of Barkley's favorite ornaments to "ding" in the morning.  And by ding, I mean that she crawls commando underneath the tree to get to the very sunniest piece of real estate our family room has to offer.]

 [our Dickens village, which could still be considered an unincorporated village as it was just established in 2009.  But we are growing just like those crazy towns in the valley were just a few years back.]

[On Dancer! On Prancer! On Vixen!] 

[Sorry other reindeer, Crate and Barrel decided we only needed three of you this year.]

[my dresser, because your dresser needs some Christmas-ing up as well!]