shopping

Since we sold our house, we've been house shopping!

Keep in mind we saw 46 houses before buying in PA, so we anticipated nothing less here, especially given our quite limited budget given our losses in PA and the reality of NJ real estate taxes (about double PA, like everything else here).

We've seen some gems....mostly gems of estates, with "vintage" kitchens circa 1953 and not touched since, original carpet, second floors that smell like they haven't seen an open window since 1964.  In an effort to not be a digital packrat, I've deleted the photos from the places we walked out of saying "not a cold chance in hell".

But here's some gems from the houses we've considered...

This one is a nice property. 3/1, with potential for expansion with just a small/bathroom sized dormer into 4/2.  Nice big corner lot (by our standards, about 1/4 acre) nice neighborhood and good schools (just 3 blocks away!), though the other side of the street backs up to a small highway.

Lawn furniture needs to be on FAUX GRASS. Don't hurt the real grass. The gnome is watching.

An older house, also in a good area, nice fenced yard, some character. 3/1 with a big family room addition on the back.

And creative decor all over the basement. Plywood and spraypaint is my idea of a finished basement for sure!

These are from a tiny little house, one our realtor calls a "dollhouse". It is actually super cute, a 2/1 with a fenced yard and a nice garage and a finished basement.

Random pile of painted rocks in the middle of the basement.

OH. Enter the finished area, and its a basement "fireplace". Interesting remodeling choice, but OK.

And the kitchen...compare the width of that doorway to the width of the stove.  No requirement to host Thanksgiving!

Welcome Fall!

It might be 90 degrees out, but that doesn't mean I can't dream of fall...
and get a couple of new things!

For about $75 total, I picked up a new pair of boots (woot for finally finding boots I can wear with jeans without cutting off my calves), a cheap pair of jeans for said boots (since none of my bootcuts go in them without saggy knees!), a cardigan, and 4 lightweight long sleeved tees for layering.

obsessed

I want one of these

and one of these.

The Bob is somewhat bigger and will be great for jogging with, trips to the park, and outdoorsy things, but I do think we'll need a smaller one. There was a floor model of the Quinny on clearance at BRU recently, and its so plush. It just FEELS like it would be comfy. I wish I could try it out for me! Its not the smallest one out there (not even the smallest Quinny) but it seems so versatile. And nice.

I don't think I can convince Princess Charming to get two pricey strollers though, especially since my cousin gave us her small one (more than an umbrella but less than a big one...she called it her "girl shopping stroller" (she has boy/girl twins)).

PS. We're not expecting. I'm just nuts.

weekend shopping

We both took a long weekend, for no particular reason....basically extended lazy date time since we hardly ever see each other, and the start of rugby season means that time will cut in half to probably one weekend day and one weekday evening a week (counting Friday). So yesterday we did a lot of food shopping and I think picked out a rug at Home Depot. We haven't quite committed yet but I'm pretty confident that'll be it.

Today, we got more peet pellets and an extra mini-greenhouse at the hardware so I can start some flowers along with the veggies I'm starting - hopefully to save us a few dozen greenbacks on our curb appeal!  Then we went to B&N for some windowshopping/browsing.

And we bought this book:

Kind of a weird purchase for folks who aren't expecting, but its amazing and includes "sibling" names (which is cool because I figure if you don't like the names that "go" with a name, it doesn't really make sense to go with the name) and lists like "Last Name First," "Italian," and "Why Not." Love it.

shopping (semi)fail

I am a terrible Christmas shopper. I like to shop. Really, I do. But, I kind of suck at giving gifts. My family always tended to buy things as we needed them, something that has continued into my adulthood and certainly the way Princess Charming and I handle things. We were hard pressed to get stocking stuffers. (OK, I am pretty easy to shop for. Get me wool running socks. Or earrings. Or clothes. But I don't NEED anything).

Anyway, tonight, on December 22, I went out to get my parents a present.
Started out OK. I got the last camera at the $79.99 sale price (not bad for a 10.2mp camera...no bells and whistles but it will do the job and be 10000% more effective than the "we didn't want to bring the good camera" situation they currently have). Then I waited in line for 13 minutes to get it from Customer Service.

Then I thought, "hey, I'm out, I'm 2 blocks from T.arget, let me run and get the memory card and case"

Let me remind you it is December 22.

I got to T.arget and got a spot within a reasonable range, though pretty far out for 9:43 pm.
Then I went inside.

Holy hell.
I have never seen the inside of a T.arget - much less this particular very suburban typically impeccable one - in this sort of condition. It looked like a W.almart, without the people.
I spent about 10 minutes trying to find a game for my cousins and the camera accessories, then decided I was nuts and left.

I got in the car and had a complete heart attack because the camera box was not under the seat where I left it.

Then I looked in the back seat.

Bailey - he was along for the ride...he loves a car ride and is perfectly happy to sleep in the driver's wheel well for 20 minutes in temperate weather - appearently thought it was his and chewed the ends off the box. The camera, CD and books are fine, but I sure hope my mom and dad like it...

oh, sales.

I have a secret.

I like to shop.
As in, I may have squealed said, upon seeing the massive shopping complex next to one of our hotels this season, "ooooh they might be having a sale!". (This may or may not have resulted in gales of laughter from my traveling companions).

I kind of enjoy Black Friday, and "Cyber Monday", even though I hardly buy any holiday gifts. This year I did get a sweet dress for upcoming weddings, and Princess Charming got some new work shirts.
I tried on some amazing shoes, but I just can't justify the cost when they're not really (ok, not at all) work appropriate).

So today, I've been browsing...kind of a lot. I did get us a bag for our boards for our upcoming snowboarding trip (which we have a legit need for!), but mostly just daydreaming...some of these things I don't even have a USE for...

how bad is the recession, really?

If people can spend money on stuff like this?



At least the Snuggie was functional and not obviously hard to use (see shaking of TP off stick...)

fitness D-

While D- exists at only a few institutions, I'm going with it. Did 7 of 15 planned miles this week, 1 of 2 lifting workouts, and 0 HIIT workouts (but I did go to 7s practice, that's close, right?). Better than last week overall, and since I felt like caca today thanks to the pollen, I'm going to take it.

This week:

Week 1 of my 16 week "Smart Coach" (runnersworld.com) half marathon program. A little tougher than Hal Higdon's novice program but more realistic for me than the 5 day/week intermediate program. 2 2 miles, 1 5 miler, and 1 7 miler this week.

2 days lifting (T/Th)

2 HIIT (really.)

Week one of the 100 pushups program. I think I'm going to try for level 2 but might move down to level 1. Plan is to do this M/W/F am after the puppy's short walk.

I have some new motivation, after a massive shopping failure this weekend. I did get a pair of (larger sized) capris and heels at Kohls...I don't usually like department stores for clothes, but since I was looking for pants I hope to only fit into this summer, I decided to bit the bullet. I've been in the market for red patent heels for a while to replace my (sob) broken slingbacks, and just stumbled upon them. Synthetic and plastic soles, and black heels not covered, but for $22.50, I'll take them. I also found a pair of yellow patent peeptoe kittenheels for $6. Out of character for me but Very summer.

Part B of my motivation: swapping out my winter/summer clothes in the closet. I re-discovered my collection of cute dresses, but sadly, by black silk polka dot and gray linen dresses are too small now...damned sleeves (thank goodness most of my summer stuff is sleeveless and just calls for cardigans and scarves for work...).

House!

My new blog obsession showcased Sproost.com's quiz today!
My first style result was Nantucket with Classic accents. Close, yes, but I don't like the dainty chairs table, and it seems a little stuffy.














I took the quiz again, noticing the option to say if I liked or hated particular items (sofa, rug, etc).
This time I got Classic with Nantucket accents, which I think fits me better.
What's old is new again! The beauty of Classic style is how well it takes all of the beautiful forms, colors and textures of the past and reinvents them in a way that feels both fresh and inspired.

The style itself is a mix of European influences and French, English and Italian antiques and replicas are often used together. Furniture is well proportioned and comfortable and the rooms give off an air of sophistication and grace. Oil paintings depicting still-life or nature scenes and emphasizing symmetry of pairs helps maintain the traditional nature of the room. Windows are often covered with opulent fabric shades and/or drapery.

Traditional rooms give off an air of history that seems to say "I was here long before you, and will remain long after you've gone." And yet, even with this level of sophistication, the rooms are soft and inviting.

Of this model, I LOVE the window treatments and the neutrals, and the subtle accessories. I don't really like the flimsy coffee table or detail on the couch, but details can vary. Overall, thumbs up for an accurate assessment!

In my future, theoretical life with a little less school debt and a little more income, and our "forever" (or at least longer-term) home, I'd love make our style more defined. Over and over, PB calls our name...In my vision, we'll have a home full of classic comfort with lots of storage (and little clutter) and a little flair.
My current loves:
Living Room












Dining Room













(not sure I could commit to such chairs, but maybe if they were slipcovered instead of upholstered?)

Office














Bedroom

















Mudroom/Entry













Of course, this is all theoretical for a forever house we won't buy for a while (not to mention all way out of our price range, and we have a house full of furniture as it is!) But every time the catalog comes we pour over it. Its a very unhealthy obsession (ok, maybe not that unhealthy! at least we're not making purchases!). Last but not least... I have an endless love for lux window treatments. While I am relatively confident we won't ever own a house that can handle full length velvet or silk drapes, a girl can dream, right?

shopaholic

I am. Sort of. Not really. Maybe. It depends who you compare me to.
But I apparently have an Ann Taylor Loft problem. About 70% of my work clothes are from there. This is directly related to the fact there is a small ATL store 3 blocks from my office where I can pop in and check the sales.

I popped in today.
The woman on the floor asked if I got a haircut (yes).
I am a little embarrassed.

Nothing good on sale, but I did find a cute water-resistant trench I want to get if it ever goes on sale for $50 or less (sale + 40% off perhaps?). I actually want a raincoat, but I'd settle for water-resistant.