We Rocked With You

So, we all know that things got a little wacky for MJ over the past couple decades, but this rendition of Billie Jean is what I think of when I think Michael Jackson. Maybe it's because I have vivid memories of moonwalking around my basement, sparkly glove and microphone in hand, singing "but the kid is not my son" and having no idea what that meant, but loving the music anyway.

Puppy Love

Know anyone who needs a puppy?? We bought a leaf blower from a guy on Craigslist and when we went to pick it up, we were greeted by these sweet little things. When I commented on how cute they were, he said "take one!" And let me add that if it were not for the fact that we are staying in someone else's house, I would have. I told him that once we were in our house, I'd call him to see if this sweet little girl was still there...

...and if she is, I know just the place for her!

If you know anyone in the Gainesville area who is looking for a pup, please email me. They are a mix between a lab and a bulldog [although I think the parents have a bit of mutt in them too], and I'm guessing they will grow to be around 40 pounds.

Window Shopping

We are replacing all the windows in our house, and have changed our minds about the style more than a few times. It's tricky these windows, partly because our house is a mix between traditional and modern, and because it's a big decision, so we don't want to mess it up. The style of the house is not that 60's California cool with the big windows, which I love, but it's also not the traditional Georgia ranch. We took some tape over there and put up the different style grids, and have finally [I think!] decided on one. I came up with one solution for some "squat" window shapes on the side of the house that I am excited about. Hopefully, it will turn out as good as I'm imagining! It will be a while before we have the "after" pictures, so in the meantime, here are some inspiring window pictures...

Even More Fantastic

After my lighting post yesterday, Pam from Retro Renovation sent me this link -- she has the same pull-down light fixture as we do. Not only that, but she found the original sales catalog for it -- how cool is that?

[Pam's kitchen with light fixture above table]

[Original sales catalog from September 1959 --

the light is an Imperialite, made by Emerson-Imperial]

Maybe it's all these years being married to an historian, but I sure do love a good primary document!

Thanks again, Pam!

Light Fantastic

Remember all those decisions I was talking about? Lighting has been a big one. To me, ceiling lights are one of those things that you don't really notice at first glance unless it is really hideous or really spectacular. But, since we are having the entire house rewired, I've got to think about every socket. My brain is officially light-decisioned out. We put fans in 3 rooms, and for the others I found things at Ikea, Crate and Barrel and in 2 cases we are using what was there [it needed a little nod to the 60's!]. Here's what is in the former Dining Room, soon to be office:

One of it's finest features -- a retractable cord! --

We probably would've never discovered that feature if it hadn't been for our electrician -- how often do you yank on a chandelier?! I stumbled on a mid-century lighting gallery over at Retro Renovation, and saw this similar beauty:

Now if only I could get ours to shine like that one!

All that's left is the bathroom vanity lights. Since we are doing so much work on the bones of the house [wiring, plumbing, h-vac, windows - to name a few] we are on a bit of a budget, so I'm looking for steals! If the placement would've work, I would've snapped up a pair of these puppies in a second:

[George Kovacs single scone, regularly $150, on sale for $29.97!]

Anyone have any tips for buying bathroom lighting?

Fairy Tale Reality

Have you seen the Fallen Princesses series by Dina Goldstein? Beautiful, thought provoking images about what could've happened if fairy tales did not have happy endings. Goldstein addresses issues that effect women today such as image and addiction.


Entertaining, creative, and intriguing for sure!

[via SwissMiss]

Ceiling Fans

[Propeller Light and Ceiling Fan by Serien]

Ah, ceiling fans. They are usually so ugly, yet so wonderful when you live in a hot place, and want to save some energy and money. My friend Shannon in Texas emailed asking me if I knew of any good ones out there, and we had actually just installed three into our new house. My big requirement -- no light on the fan! I had to convince Reggie of this -- his argument: but what are we going to do for light? my response: LAMPS!. But this is also coming from someone who is not a huge fan of overhead lights in general, with the exception of kitchen lights and chandeliers. When I walk into our family room at night, the last thing I would turn on would be an overhead [especially now that we don't have one!] -- I always reach for the lamp. And during the day, I prefer natural light enhanced by lamps. I can count on one hand the amount of times I turned on the overheads [outside of the kitchen] in our last apartment. But that's just me. Anyway, back to the fans -- don't feel like you need the light [I found a lot of fans came with a light kit, so you could install them or not].

We are on a tight budget with all the house renovations we are doing, so I couldn't spluge on fans at the moment. I figured since I couldn't spend the money on one I really wanted, I would try to find just a simple fan that wouldn't be noticed, except for the moments of gratitude when it was cooling you off. Here's what we ended up with for the time being:

[Farmington Ceiling Fan in Iron finish - $39.97 at Home Depot]

I'm planning to use Iron finish hardware for the curtains in those rooms, too, so hopefully once everything is finished they will just blend into the scene.

Some others that I liked and would've bought if I had more to spend:

[Concept II Flush Fan from Restoration Hardware, $329-349;

similar Minka Aire fans available on Amazon for around $270 and in bronze]

[Atlus Ceiling Fan from Design Within Reach, $330]

And if you really do want a light [because I understand that some people like overheads!], the Monte Carlo fan by Harbor Breeze [available at Amazon for $136.09] is simple and sleek:

And the Casa Surveyor Bronze Ceiling Fan from Lamps Plus, $199.95:

Do any of you have suggestions for non-offensive ceiling fans?

Orla Stash

I know where all the Orla Kiely for Target products are -- at the Target outside of Gainesville! Not only that, but all of it is on clearance for 50% off. I was surprised because from what I'd heard, it hasn't been easy to find in some areas. And this may be rumor, but were people selling it for a higher price on ebay?? Anyway, it was great timing, and I snapped up a bunch of plates and cups that I can't wait to use for grill outs.

If you are in the area and looking for some fun kitchenware for outdoor entertaining, check it out!

*I know there is some controversy surrounding melamine, but I've done some digging around, and it sounds like as long as you don't put it in the microwave and hand wash it, it's safe to use. It's the heat factor, same as with the BPA in plastic. The alternative for a BBQ where you don't want to bring out the china would be disposable, and I'd prefer not to do that. Such a quandary -- it seems like so much these days has the potential to cause harm.

Thumbs UP!

I took the boys to see Up the movie this weekend -- it was really good. Both boys [ages 5 and 3] sat engrossed through the entire movie [not even a trip to the potty!]. And I cried a little bit during it. I won't give anything away [hint: it wasn't at the end of the movie, but about the middle], but there is a sweet message in the movie [definitely over their heads] about marriage, and how even though things don't always turn out like you planned or thought they would, it's still an adventure with the one you love. The only part where I thought it may be a little rough for them was in the fight scene at the end where one character is wielding a sword with the definite purpose of killing. But it was relatively short, and didn't detract from the overall positive message of the film. The colors and graphics are spectacular as well. If you are looking for an escape from the summer heat, I highly recommend it.

*There is also an animated short at the beginning called Partly Cloudy that is really good, too.

Mix + Match Chairs

We have an enormous dining room table for the new place [it's beautiful dark walnut], and sadly, PB doesn't make the white Morrow chairs that we have been using anymore. I love these chairs. They are perfect for a family with small kids -- inexpensive, easy to clean, look simple and sleek. So, I want to keep them around, and I'm thinking I'm going to have to do a little mix-n-match. In keeping with the small kid-friendly theme, as well as the same modern look, I'm leaning toward these Eames molded plastic side chairs.

It's so hard to imagine what they would look like mixed in together, but I figure if I buy something that I love and mix it with something else that I love, it can't be too bad, right?!

It looks like they have the Morrow barstools on sale, so I wonder if those are on the way out as well -- I'm thinking I should get some for a kitchen bar before they are gone...


What do you think about a little mix-n-match?

Fabric, Paint + Tape

It's been a crazy week and a half -- lots of packing, loading, unloading, and DECISIONS -- oh my goodness, the decisions! I find it hard enough to think when I'm moving, and then add onto that the indecisiveness of a pregnant woman and half the time I think my brain will go into overload. Thankfully, I have my sister to help with some of those. Yesterday, while we were doing this:



...I walked into the workshop to find the boys doing this:


Which quickly turned into this:



Hope you guys are having a great weekend!