Home.

Check out those shutters.

They look pretty damn good, I'm just sayin'.

Amazing what some black plastic can do to the front of a home right?

I spent 45 minutes ordering these them about two weeks ago (ten day delivery in my dreams) at the local Home Depot.  I walked in with the exact dimensions and type of the shutters I needed, ask me how it still took the Home Depot man 45 minutes to get my order placed, I'm not sure sure. There was no line.  

But what I will say is they made us both VERY happy. We had no idea that such a small addition to the house would make such a big difference with curb appeal, which is weird because we log about 4.7 hours of HGTV per week; those Cousins on Call are pretty darn cute talented.

Our house is really coming along. A coat of black paint on the front door, one more day of work on the deck, and a few other small things here and there inside, and it will finally be 'done' after almost three years of changes.  I love calling this little bungalow home though, something about it's charm and small (relative) size that is so cozy, and easy to clean, which can be equally as charming in it's own domestic way.  

In other news this weekend there is a new little one in the family, born healthy less than an hour into Sunday. And he gets to head home this morning.  Lots of blessings to count as the Holidays approach. Can't believe they are here already.

My Boss is Coming Over

I've been buried deep in the crevasses of my house, cleaning, scrubbing, dusting, laundering, arranging, and repeating all week.  Also in 1200 square feet I'm not even sure we have crevasses, but if there are, I have found them.  All of them.

My boss, and my bosses boss are attending a bridal shower I am hosting at my house this weekend, and if I've never been intimidated in my lifetime, I am now.  Our house has been a work in progress for almost two years (yup, we lived through a remodel that was fun) , and while we're alm o s t done, we're not qui t e there yet.  But this year we've come a long way, and there are many sections of my home that I love, parts I have worked hard on, and things that make me happy.

Both taken with my phone from my couch, because I'm lazy.

But since my home is a place where I find comfort, and escape to after a long days work, it's hard to let people in with the idea that they are going to find the same satisfaction with it as we (my boyfriend and I) do.   Which in the end might be perfectly fine, despite the fact that that's exactly what I want.  But I'm a girl, and I want them to be impressed, and think it's beautiful, because wouldn't anyone want that for their home?

To be honest, I'm mostly nervous a pillow won't be fluffed enough, the food won't be scrumptious enough (yes I am feeding them all too), and the floors won't be clean enough.  But seriously what I was thinking sweeping and mopping, Cinderella style on my hands and knees, on Tuesday, when little Miss Zoey can single handily make any floor dirty hairy in 37 seconds flat? Fail.  God I want need a Roomba. 

Mostly I just want it to all go well. I can't wait to have all my crafts done, food prepped, drinks made, and guests here. I'll be sure to have a candle burning, all lights on, and fresh towels, new soap, and flowers in the bathroom.  My silverware will be wrapped and bowed in linen napkins, and my serving trays will be matching.  The wine will be chilled, and mimosas will be ready for an awesome party.  

This party has to make up for the the terrible bachelorette party the bride had, and I'm determined to do it.  So excuse me while I go fold the three loads of laundry that are currently heaped and barley fitting on my kitchen island, and scrub that back toilet, and clean up the back room in hopes that when my boss(es) come over Saturday morning, they'll be pleasantly surprised with what we've worked so hard to put together.

Fingers crossed.

Happy Dance, Because I Can

It's Friday, and I don't have any serious weekend plans, except washing my car, going for a run (or two), and attending a baby shower.

Remember these cute favors from the one I hosted for my sister in law??
Oh and drinking a LOT of these.

Anyways, I'm doing a happy dance today.
But to save your sanity, I am not posting a video of my happy dance, I have NO rhythm.
It's just a picture of my smile, because I am SO HAPPY!!!
Because the photo wall in my hall is DONE.
As in all the pictures are in, frames are hung, and I can look at it and smile.

It started a few months ago when I started collecting frames.

Then I made paper cut outs of the frames with a description on each one.
Describing both the frame and the picture.
Gosh pinterest has some bright ideas....I'm usually the measure once nail twice type of gal.
But this solved the problem.

And then I layed them all out on the bed.
In the exact arrangement I wanted them in.

Not as a subtle hint (honey please hang these), but honestly because when it was all said and done it was wayyy past my bed time, so I just layed them out.

 And then I walked in the door yesterday after a long day to this.
A completed photo wall.
 And I almost died right then and there.
He hung them for me while I was at work, to make me happy.
Not because I asked him to, but because he wanted to.
I am SOOO happy about it!!! Like seriously though.

And that right there is what it's all about, doing things that will make the other happy, unsolicited. 
I'm one lucky lady, with one cute hall way.