Project # 2: Why yes, I am cutting ivy in 90 degree heat...

So my second project was going to be to straighten up the desk next to our door, but I was sidetracked by the yard.  This has happened all summer - which is why my entire front yard is covered with flowers, but my two spare bedrooms look like a flea market exploded.  I have been glaring at the ivy ground cover that sits in a semi-circle behind the driveway for a few weeks now.  Everything has been growing like crazy, and it had completely overtaken the little stone wall it is supposed to sit on top of.  So it got a little trim today around the wall.  I still need to cut and weed the top of it, but at least it isn't trailing down the drive like it is trying to make a run with the yard....

No pictures - it's really only slightly better looking immediately after a trim than it is overgrown.  I started out doing light trims, and after two years I've realized that if you don't hack it back it is overgrown again the next morning. 

My next project of the night has to be reading Plainsong for book club - it's tomorrow, and I haven't even cracked the book.

Currently doubling as a mosquito smorgasbord,
Jess

The 364 Project Challenge

You can make new year's resolutions in July, right?

I was looking around the house yesterday (with the help of my husband, who pointed out that everything was a mess/he was the only one who cleans.  Silly boy.  He claims I need to help.  I think we should accept the reality that this will not happen and budget for a maid.  Stay tuned as the debate rages on...) 

Anyhow...

I was looking around my house, and realized that too many of my good intentions had ended up as half-done projects.  The guest bedroom that still has one purple wall and a yellow window, while the rest is light teal and white.  The bathroom with the pale purple walls and the dark teal (ironic, isn't it?) patch in the corner where it is hard to paint.  The baseboards float above the flooring because I never bought moulding, and there is a patch of carpet I cut around because I gave up trying to yank it up.  Then there is the blog that never quite got written...

It paints a lovely picture, doesn't it?

So I am starting the 364 Project Challenge - a project a day, to fix, improve, organize, and just FINISH some of these things. 

I gave up on self-displine after my dissertation, so this ought to be interesting.  Today's project - the yellow window. 

There were originally two yellow windows and two yellow doors.  The trim was only spared because the previous owners, while enthusiastic, where not completely delusional. The doors and one window are almost complete - just a few yellow patches that will be another day's project.  Today's project is this window - the most yellow.  An hour and a fifteen minutes and probably way too many paint fumes later:

Day 1, Project 1 - Completed.
(On seeing the picture above, I should really add photography as a project...)

Cheers,

Jess

Cinco de Mayo

Shawn and I celebrated Cinco de Mayo with a few friends this weekend.  The rain kept us inside, so I just moved the decorations indoors.



We made chicken & beef tacos, pico de gallo, mango salsa, Rotel & sausage dip (I make this at any excuse - it's so delicious and I feel so guilty eating it I like to have many partners in crime : ), sangria, margaritas, and margarita cupcakes. 

We've been enjoying the party aftermath today - leftovers, and boozy cherries from the sangria.  Shawn suggested next year we try out carnitas and tamales - I'm looking forward to the recipe testing

.  : )

Salud,

Jess

A Trip to the City Garden

Back in March, Shawn and I took a quick trip downtown to see the City Garden.  All photo credits belong to him : )

Happy spring,

Jess

Grown up Furniture

Our red sofas have lived a good life - both were hand me downs when Shawn and I recieved them, and we have lived with them for over a decade each.  With the red slipcovers, they were a fun way to put more color in the boring beige apartments.  Of course, I never took a formal 'before', but this is a sample of the couch in action:

 

 

And here is the 'after', with the new couches from Crate & Barrel.  (You can also see the new roman shades I made in the background). 

 

I was worried I would miss the color, but it turns out the white really blends into the room and makes it seem a lot more cohesive - especially since it picks up the white from the dining room. 

 

 

 

Between the curtains and the couches, the living room has made a big change over the past year.  I made the curtains by piecing together a few do-it-yourself instructions on my great-aunt's antique Singer sewing machine. 

 

 

 

Max, of course, was a big help testing out both curtains and couch.

 

 

 

Jess

 



Christmas

A few shots of Christmas decorations - I hated to take them down.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday, and is having a wonderful new year!

Jess

Getting ready for Halloween...

After the long (hot!) summer, I have been so excited for fall. I started my halloween decorating early in September - I love the way the orange plays off the other colors in the dining room and the living room. And I can't wait for all the trick or treaters (and leftover candy). : )