You've Got Mail

Do you love checking the mail as much as I do?

I admit it.  It's a guilty pleasure of mine.

I particularly enjoy receiving packages.

Pulling into the driveway after a long day of work and checking the doors...

Oh yeah, I do.

You mean they never drop off at the back door?

Ya gotta check, right? Just in case the silly delivery man decided

 the front door wasn't the appropriate place that day?

The only time the mailbox is an eyesore is when the bills are in it.

Mailboxes are something that we often neglect to look at or even take care of.

Seeing as it's a part of our daily routine, I feel it should brighten ones day.

Rob decided to pull out an outdoor light post

{aka the eyesore of hickory}

that resided smack dab at the start of our driveway.

We contemplated adding another one, as most of our neighbors continue the trend.

However, they are costly and aren't all the great looking these days.

Which got me thinking...our mailbox isn't much better.

As I've said in previous blog entries...the cottage's exterior needs some work.

Don't get me wrong, it's completely fine. 

But it does need a new coat of paint and some new hardware.

Maybe we should start with the mailbox?

My dream mailbox...

The Victorian pedestal mailbox.

The patina knocks my socks off.

I'm not sure this style "fits" the look of our neighborhood.

We definitely don't live in a Victorian home or century home.

But it's a dream box.  No?

Or do you prefer something classic?

I like the white wood paired with a darker metal box.

I'm a sucker for the number signs that get mounted to the top of the box.

I prefer the custom made wood post over the one I posted above.

However, this seems to be more accessible at your big box stores.

Who knew your mailbox could cause such grief?

Before we make a decision on the mailbox, we need to get kitchen island in order.

We have been receiving quotes from different local stone companies.

The hubs and I think we have decided on honed cararra marble.

We're looking forward to wrapping that project up as soon as possible.

8 months preggo and nesting is at an all time high.

But time is running out!

The nursery isn't even complete.  Ah!

I'm going to take off and rest.  Doctor's orders!

happy memorial day!

To those who have served...

God bless you!

*photos courtesy of unkown the colors of my mind tumblr, mailboxixchange, custommade, mailbox.net (last 3 images)

Waterlox Rocks and My 100th Post!

My 100th blog post!

How great is that?
When I began blogging last summer, I didn't know what to expect.
Could I keep up?  Would people bother checking it out?
However, it was always my intention to write the blog for me.
It's my virtual photo book and my personal diary. 
I get to go back and see how far we've come.
And what a year it's been!  We've come far, babe.

We are working very hard on this kitchen.
We need to touch up the cabinets and caulk in areas.
We need to add stone to the island.
We ordered a pair of pendant lights.  We'll see how we like them.
We need to build the refrigerator in and add the plate rack.
Sounds like a lot, no?

One thing that's officially done...
The butcher block perimeter countertops.
And boy do we love them.

Can I shout from a mountain top...?
waterlox rocks!
If you plan on using ikea's butcher block or any butcher block for that matter,
go ahead and put on a few coats of this stuff.
I promise you'll be satisfied.

The color is a bit off.  i-phone quality isn't the best.

I just couldn't wait to show you!

So much to do, so little time.

Will you join me for 100 more?

Marvelous Mommies!

happy mother's day moms!

Even though my little guy is still growing in my bell,

I sorta feel like a mom today.

I have a new found appreciation for moms.  Motherhood is beautiful.

I've already sacrificed for Carlo and will continue to each and every day.

That's what mommies do, right?

That's what my mom does.

Thank you for being you.  Thank you for working so hard.

Thank you for being so selfless.

I love you beyond words.

Due to some more health concerns,

the doctor has me on a specific mommy meal plan.

Chef Rob to the rescue.

Receiving this special treatment won't stop after mother's day.

Look at the goodies he brings me.  He'll kill me.

Sorry...I just think he's too fabulous.  Best husband award.

Enjoy your day.  Put your feet up.  You deserve it!

*photos courtesy of modern hepburn, mediacache4



I Feel Summer Creepin' In...

We have 4 weeks left of school. 

Can you believe it?  I sure can't.

I'm looking forward to some me time, but I'll miss all of my co-workers.

They have been my cheerleaders throughout this pregnancy.

Once schools out, reality will truly set in.

We're going to meet our little man very soon!

This weekend gave me the taste of summer.

While I wish I could jump on a plane and get out of this town,

the scenery was absolutely beautiful.

Most moms tell me to enjoy this alone time before the baby comes,

but I'm ready.

My body aches horribly and I still get sick from time to time.

Plus, all of this renovation and updating has me in a tizzy.

Over the weekend Rob and I were out and about when we spotted

window panels that we felt would look great in the nursery.

And they were reasonably priced.

I love you World Market.

I'd sleep in this room.  I hope Carlo likes it too!

There is more to do, but now we can check one more thing off of our list!

Curtains.

Feels good!

The kitchen seems to be moving along too.

The backsplash is being installed today and

the plumbing will hopefully be completed by tomorrow.

Then we'll add sealer to the countertops!

We're still waiting on the delivery of the hardware, 

which is what excites me most! 

Now we need to start our search for the island countertop.

Honed granite or marble? Why do people seem so shocked by honed stone?

They look at me like I'm on another planet.

It must not be common around here?

Anyway, I thought I could wait.

But with so much progress,

 it's hard to leave the center of our kitchen unfinished.

I know, honey.  You told me so.

I'll stop rambling and touch base later.

Be back in a flash!

*photo courtesy of tiny white daisies

A Mess of Ideas and a Mess of Renovation!

Lately, I've been impatient.

Pregnancy hormones have me feeling like a complete lunatic.

I need things done. Like yesterday.

The kitchen continues to come along slowly.

When you think you have a time frame for the work to be completed,

add a month {or two}.

In all honesty, if most of the work is completed by June,

I'll be just fine.  If it goes on much longer, call the police. Ha!

We had a little hiccup with the cabinet hardware.

Since we already have pre-drilled holes in our cabinetry

{and because I didn't want to add more holes or fill the old ones in}

the restoration hardware gilmore pulls that I had in mind were a no go.

We needed to find something with a 3 inch boring that was still substantial and

not so tiny.

After looking high and low we came across the Martha Stewart line of hardware

at good ol' Home Depot.

We decided to order 1 cabinet bin pull and 1 knob

 to see how they would look in our kitchen.

The knob is up top and the bin pull is down below {left side}.

We love it.  A very classic look for almost half of the price

of some of the other hardware that we were considering.

I went ahead and made the big order last night.

Rob's got a lot of unscrewing and screwing ahead of him.

We've got a lot {and I mean a lot} of hardware.

I'm still on the hunt for some longer pulls for some of the larger cabinets.

I'm sure that will occupy my time for hours.

As I posted in my last blog entry, I've been on the hunt

for curtains and window hardware.

I'm still a bit up in the air. 

I'm even considering some cherry wood curtain rods

to compliment our Jenny Lind crib.

We'll see.

My mind is currently occupied by art work and how

I'd like to decorate the wall on each side of the crib. 

 Hmmm.  Too many decisions lately.

But I do know, I'm loving these prints.

I'm thinking vintagey gold frames.

{The Young Hare by Albrecht Durer}

{Guardian Angel by Heilige Schutzengel}

I told you I'm a mess of ideas.

That was a warning.

By the way, how lovely is this nursery designed by Tammy Connor?

She's sort of my new favorite.

I'm loving all of the crosses behind the iron crib.  Simply gorgeous.

And how adorable is Chester the Raccoon?

and Henry the Fox

These little creations can be found at the Walnut Animal Society.

All our handmade in the good ol' USA!

I'm sure {no it's a fact} that I'll be back with more ideas and inspiration later.

I'm going to go enjoy a sunny day with my hubs!

Hope you do the same!

*photos courtesy of art.com, art.com, tammy connor interior design, walnut animal society, walnut animal society

With May Flowers Comes Blooming Progress!

Today wasn't a "great" day.

I figured a little blogging could improve the evening.

The flowers around the cottage are beginning to bloom.

Of course they make me smile.

The smell of the flowers remind me of last year when we signed the papers.

pure bliss.

Our backyard. A lot of lovely green.

We can't wait to spend more time outside.

The weather has been up and down.

80's, rain, then snow.  Really?

This week sunshine is in the forecast. 

The yard has loads of potential.  We wish we could dig right in.

For now, the inside remains our priority.

Speaking of the inside, here is part of the grouted back splash.

I'm happy with my decision to stick with white grout.

While the tiles don't "pop" as they would with darker grout,

it doesn't take away from the rest of the kitchen.

We're continuing our work on the nursery.

Can someone explain to me why window treatments are so expensive?

It drives me bonkers.  Literally.

Here's a reminder of how the nursery looks.

Here are some window treatments that we're considering.

what do you think?

I hope you have a sunny week!



*photos courtesy of restoration hardware baby and child, restoration hardware baby and child, pottery barn