Monday, March 15, 2010

Sneak Peak...

Here is a little sneak peak at our exterior home plans. My dad sketched these out and emphasized that they are rough drafts - just to get his ideas down.

Despite his protests, I couldn't resist sharing. I've always wanted to live in a home that my dad designed, and even this exterior remodel is exciting for me.

{note that this is just a small section the house plan, and the picture quality is a little blurry since my dad only does hand-drawn plans, so it was taken with my camera phone}

We're already planning for some adjustments, like making the front porch bigger to fit a swing or a few rocking chairs. Overall though, isn't it gorgeous?!

If you notice in the picture of our house currently, to the far right is a brick wall that juts out (and we're not really sure why it's there).

In order to make this look more purposeful, we're mirroring the wall on the other side of the windows in the living room, and then again in the guest room. Both the living room and guest rooms windows would be replaced with a set of 3 cottage windows (much bigger than what we have currently in either room).


We're also bringing down the level of the brick, adding baton (wooden siding) vertically, and a small copper (or most likely copper look-alike to save $) roof above each set of 3 windows in order to draw the eye upwards, making our house look less long and skinny, and much more vertical.
My dad and I are pushing painting the brick and baton the same color to give the house a more unified look, then possibly adding some stone accents... still trying to sell the hubby on that one though.
Even though these plans are rough drafts, I'm loving the direction towards a cottage look!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Shopaholic

So I have a shopping problem... And no, Jeff, I don't mean that I spend too much money (even if you disagree). It's that I don't spend money on what I actually need.

Right now, and pretty much always, I need some new clothes... for work, for going out... basically anything other than my new favorite: black sweatpants.

I recently realized that all of my latest pictures on Facebook feature me in same black sweater, jeans, and black flats. I haven't worn much else since I purchase the sweater and flats in the fall (so embarrassing).

But am I eyeing any new clothes for my purchases? Of course not. Instead, I want this, with my new monogram.
And of course you remember this...


And then one of these for good measure...


Might as well add these, while I'm at it...














And last, but not least, this... sigh


Trending heavily away from clothes, and - surprise - heavily towards home goods. None of which I actually need, but then again, I've never been much of a fashionista.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Monday Inspiration

I've been feeling incredibly inspired lately – in all aspects of life. Over the weekend, I had a girl’s day (and evening) with Sarah of Silver Lining fame. We talked a lot about design inspiration, and she gave the best advice from her coursework in interior design and general ability to work colors with ease. Afterwards, I realized how much of what she said echoed this post from Jenny.

So to get our living room in order, I’m going to follow their expert advice: Choose something (fabric, artwork, a set of plates) that you love, and drawn your room’s color palette from that. It seems so simple when they lay it out that way!

After a brief trip to Sleepy Poet (my favorite afternoon activity) and some online browsing, I came up with this fabric inspiration for our living room. I just can’t decide between the two…


To top all of this design inspiration off, I was fortunate enough today (thanks to my father-in-law) to attend the Businesswoman of the Year luncheon. Needless to say, I left with inspiration to spare. The award recipient touched on everything from resiliency as a leader to balancing being a mom with being a top executive (she said that she isn’t a ‘working mom,’ but a ‘mom who works’ – I loved it)

What a great way to start the week!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Drum Roll, please

… And the winner of our first ever Wedded Whittaker Project Poll is…

a tie?

Jeff is convinced that I somehow rigged this poll, but I promise there was no unethical campaigning or fraudulent votes (although I will admit to a few sunroom-oriented posts). With the results in, my dear hubby gave me the best news e-v-e-r.

We are taking on both of the winning projects: exterior remodel & sunroom addition! Not to get too far ahead of ourselves, but we are tentatively planning for a spring & fall home project.

Since my dad is still drawing up plans for the exterior remodel, the spring project is the sunroom! Project start date is TBD, especially considering that it snowed again this week (will this winter ever end?)

In the meantime, here is some bright & cheery room inspiration:

{via The Newlywed Diaries}

{sunroom via Young House Love}

{via Matters of Style}

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Kitchen No-No?

I'm thinking that for anyone with a trained design-eye it is a huge no-no to confess your love for a design in a catalogue... So good thing I have no training.

My spring Crate & Barrel catalogue came in over the weekend, and I was immediately drawn to this kitchen. The farm sink is a definite must. Not to mention how much I love the style of the Vienna chairs and French kitchen table... Finally, any styling of gray & yellow (our wedding colors) is thumbs-up in my book!

I imagine myself with this kitchen in a beautiful country house... But for now, I may just splurge on this Dutch Oven with the last of our wedding gift cards!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Secretary Envy

I'm daydreaming about purchasing this Craig's List secretary for $60... (are you kidding me with that price?! someone stop me from hitting send on this email)

Then painting it, à la Eddie Ross...
and wallpapering, like Little Green Notebook's china hutch...
perhaps with this wallpaper, from American Blinds?

...and finally, using it in my new sunroom as a workstation... A girl can dream, right?

Monday, March 1, 2010

W²

On Sunday night I tried out a new Weight Watchers recipe (or 'W Squared' as I like to call it). From the Cook It Quick cookbook, the recipe was so easy to make, and it was delicious! Especially for only 5 points!

{love this kitchen remodel by Ann Turner... the shelf and different color upper & lower cabinets are amazing}

W² Cheddar Chicken with Warm Black Bean Salsa:
4 (3-oz) thin-sliced skinless chicken breasts
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese
1 (14½ oz) can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes (I couldn't find these, so I just used regular stewed tomatoes and added a splash of Tabasco sauce)
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

1. Spray a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Saute the chicken until lightly browned. Sprinkle with oregano, salt & pepper. Turn over and saute until cooked through. Sprinkle chicken with almost all cheese (set aside 1 tablespoon).

2. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, mix tomatoes and beans. Bring to a boil.

3. Top the chicken with the black bean & tomato salsa, remaining cheese, and cilantro. Serve & enjoy (for 5 points!)