aw jewelry, you never cease to amaze me

I hopped onto Etsy today just to take a sneak peak at what the handpicked items of the day were and the theme today was ruffles in reds, grays and blacks. I loved them all (pillows, bows, shirts, etc). So I followed the link of the seller that picked them and found, drum roll please, The Silver Dog. The chick has some serious vintage and bauble style going on.

I want this necklace. Really bad.

And while we're at it...why not the earings too?

I can't stop staring at either one of them! I'm sort of into this vintage/hippie/eclectic funk right now. I can't get enough of it. This weekend I plan to make some head way on projects around the house (which will include a couple of junk shopping trips). Hopefully there will be photos to share!

Happy Friday!

love this.

This is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. I absolutely love this project! I found it via We Met in a Bar this morning and have been staring at his Flickr set since.

I love old photos of homes and businesses and knowing that the building is still there thriving (hopefully) in the new environment. There's a really awesome photo of the old Buick building downtown (that is now Red Prime) that I had saved on my computer for years but I seem to have lost it and can't find it again. Wah wah.

lamp shades, new shoes and a gaudy mirror

Yesterday Paul and I went on a search for lamp shades. Oklahoma City...you disappoint in this area. After multiple stops we finally came across a shade that worked for our antique lamps that we could live with. Well actually, we found a shade that worked, the end. We didn't really have a choice, it was the only black shade larger than 11" that we could find. Unfortunately, we were just replacing shades that have started to fall apart that we loved. They don't make them anymore, because they obviously fall apart. A black empire or drum shade with NO PLEATS shouldn't be that difficult to find, should it?!

We had lunch at Saturn (seem to be eating there a lot lately) and then hopped over to Shoe Gypsy where I joined the movement. I know my cousin would be so proud, she's a bit of a TOMS snob. I love them and would have worn them to church this morning if it hadn't been 30 degrees outside (and if they had matched my dress but that's a minor detail).

No worries, I'm wearing them now and have decided they compliment my Orla Kiely tote quite well. I mean talk about the perfect "weekend" combo.

We also bought a huge mirror to hang over the fireplace (with a gold frame, shocker, I know) to jump start the final stages of the living room design. It's been in a holding pattern for awhile and I'm ready to get it cleaned up, finished and make it usable (along with all those other rooms I mentioned previously). I've decided that I like gold, which for anyone that knows me well, knows this is a big deal. Turns out, my eclectic nature needs gold. Who would have thought?

Yes?

Yea, I thought so. I just have to get it in my living room and throw some flowers and books on top and my "mish mash" style will start to become "eclectic".

This kitchen remodel has been bad for us. Or bad for Paul should I say. I am having no problem with the idea of redoing the dining room and the living room and the bedroom and the...on and on and on...Paul is however struggling with my desire to do all of these things.

friends, friends

Tonight I had dinner with an old friend from college. She graduated a year after me (also with an interior design degree) and we had such a good time catching up. It's fun to be able to have dinner with other professionals in the area that you know on a different level. Ya know, deeper than general contractors, finish schedules, and project comparisons. We are so much alike in our interests and beliefs and hope we make it a regular dinner.

I've also been reflecting over the past few weeks on how many friends Paul and I have in the City. I always feel like we don't have the number of friends we would have in Holland, or other places but we have a ton of friends here. TONS. And I love them. All of them.

Tonight I leave you with my favorite current song. Coldplay's 'Til Kingdom Come. And my new favorite Pandora station? Gary Jules. Go play it, right now.

New New Year's Resolutions...

These weren't on my list when January 1st rolled around but I am adding them now:

1) Entertain. A lot. I am super excited about this one. I already have three parties in the works for May. Why not now you ask? Because I have a lot to take care of before May 1st. After that, it is on.

2) Stop interrupting people. They say interruption is you basically saying to the other person, "what I have to say is more important than what you have to say," and I would never say that or think that, therefore the interrupting stops here.

So my list keeps growing and I am still working on getting my first item of business marked off the list. These were too good not to add though!

V-Day in T-Town

Paul and I spent this weekend at a place called Post Oak outside of Tulsa with 39 other couples from our church. We had such a good time hanging out, fellowshipping, talking, eating and playing games. Saturday, Paul and I, the Collins' and the Boggs' went into downtown Tulsa for lunch at El Guapo's Cantina and then headed to Uttica Square so that we could get out and walk around in the warm weather and window shop. The warm weather swiftly left overnight leaving snow and freezing temperatures behind which made getting up on Sunday morning somewhat difficult (not to mention the fact that we all went to bed at 1:30 am and let's be honest, we are all getting a bit too old for that).

  

If you're ever in Tulsa, stop by this place! It was delicious!

Paul, Eric and Mike

Paul's mexican chicken sandwich. It had a much cooler name on the menu and apparently was delicious. The french fries that accompanied the plate were pretty darn good if i do say so myself.

I didn't take very many photos (what you see here, is basically all I took). I have got to get better at that.

Paul and I agreed that no valentine's gifts were to be exchanged this year. We were both getting a new kitchen and that was enough for the both of us. But, you know Paul, he can't really follow the rules and went ahead and got me some truffles from our favorite local chocolate store and an armband for my iPhone for when I am working out. I know that doesn't sound incredibly romantic but if you knew how I was rigging it up to make sure I didnt drop it (it tracks my work outs) you would understand how much I wanted one.

Hope everyone had a good weekend. I've decided we are just entirely too busy of a couple. Somethings going to have to give here soon.

Wisteria's Draftsman Stool

I'm thinking about buying this stool for our kitchen. I found it through The Newlywed Diaries this morning and it's from Wisteria. I don't need a stool in the kitchen. In fact, what we need is a small vintage step ladder but I haven't had any luck finding one that I like. So maybe we go with a stool instead. It won't serve the same purpose but I am sure it would get perched on quite a bit. Plus, it would look really, really good in there.

And the award for best supporting actress goes to:

Unfortunately, me. And I know what you’re thinking…in a marriage that’s a great thing, to be a supporter. But that isn’t what I am talking about here.

I don’t deserve the best supporting actress award in our marriage but rather in my role as the supporter. Which bites.

This morning as I was getting ready for work I started to reflect on the roles that Paul and I play in our marriage. Most of the roles that we have assumed came about while I was still a full time student with a part time job. When Paul and I got married, I was working two days during the week, had class on the other three days (and in the evenings of the days I worked) and worked on Saturdays. Paul kept the house picked up and did the laundry. I cooked dinner three nights a week but only when I didn’t have homework. The nights that I did have homework, Paul did the cooking. Paul also paid the bills and took care of the yard. My job was to graduate. Ladies, are you drooling? My husband did it all.

It’s three and half years later and I have graduated and I have a grown-up job but things at home are very much the same. Paul still does it all (including the laundry, we share the cooking but it is still mostly him, he still pays the bills and takes care of the yard). The housework? Well, we’ve both let that slide.

Last night, I had to start defensive driving online. Paul made dinner (because I obviously couldn't do both). Then this morning, as I was getting ready (after he woke me up), Paul got my cereal for me, he got my food prepped for Ronald McDonald House tonight and was still out the door and to the office by 8:00 am. I turned off my alarm, slept in, let him come and get me out of bed and then let him get my breakfast for me and organize the things I would need for the day. And I was barely at the office before 8:05 am (and that was pretty amazing itself).

At work I thrive in organization and schedules and being where I am supposed to be when I am supposed to be there with the information needed. But at home, I have become so complacent to let Paul do everything. Maybe it’s because he isn’t the typical guy that will wear a dirty shirt because the laundry isn’t done. He doesn’t sit around and watch TV all the time. If there are dishes in the sink, he washes them and therefore I don’t have to. I’ve started to notice that I don’t do things because Paul does.

Another example (from last night), we bought food for me to take to RMH tonight. Some of it was refrigerated and we forgot to put it in the refrigerator. So, we’re both lying in bed just about to go to sleep and I say out loud with a great sigh of disgust, “Argh, we forgot to put that tub in the refrigerator…” and then I just laid there. You know why? Because I knew Paul would get up and go put it in the fridge for me. He wouldn’t lay there and wait me out. Pathetic (not Paul, me).

I took the time last night to look over my 2010 resolutions to see if I was making progress towards any of them. I’m still doing OK on them, but have quite a ways to go on most. One of my goals for this year should be to become less of a loser around the house. I’m adding it to my list. Maybe Paul and I should have a draw-a-chore out of a hat kind of thing to get us evened out.

I know if I didn’t work (and work a lot) that my house would be spotless, that I would have dinner cooked and that I would run our house like a well oiled machine single handedly. But I work, and I typically work a lot both at the office and at home, so we’re going to need to share the task. That is, if Paul and I can get our new system running smoothly.

and we call him 'Squatter'

Attention all animals in the 500 block of 20th Street in Oklahoma City: If you have owners who leave you outside in the freezing cold, I am sorry but I do not want to house you in my basement anymore. Please go back to your respective homes and cry at your owner's doors. I feel for you but can not love you all.

This little (actually big) guy has been frequenting our basement during the winter storms here of late (as have multiple other cats). He's very friendly but is driving not only Paul and I, but our cats absolutely nuts! We've given him a name. Don't they tell you not to do that?! That's always the first sign that you'll end up keeping it, right? WE ARE NOT KEEPING HIM. To the girls down the street: feed your cat and give him a warm bed when it's snowing outside. Come on, just look at that face!

So, how's the kitchen coming you ask? Well, we're at a stand still. I mean we're working on it but it's all behind the scenes right now. We got our new refrigerator this past weekend and I was happier than a nerdy school girl with new school supplies. I love new refrigerators for some reason. We also changed out all of the light switches and electrical sockets and plates so that they all match and are up to date. Cabinets have been on order for two weeks now and should be here in another two to three weeks and we stopped by AG&M to pick out our marble counter! (Ours will be a little less vein-y than that, but its a Carrara either way and is gorgeous!) I'd show you photos (like some of you have asked for) but there is nothing to show except for the disaster that we are trying to live with until we finish. Our dining room and kitchen are looking awfully pathetic. In between the wine glasses there are pots, pans and packages of ramen noodles next to paint brushes and screwdrivers. The floor is covered in cans of paint, ladders, shop vacs and boxes full of spices and cereal. Sounds like a party, no?

I started Defensive Driving online tonight to get rid of that ticket I got back in November. Word to the wise, do not start the course the week before it is due. Although I have already flown through the first four chapters tonight, the fact that I have to cram it all in in one week makes it seem much, much worse than it probably is.

let the sun shine in...

The sun is shining in Oklahoma City for the first time in what seems like months. Collectively today, most of us (co-workers, friends, etc.) have decided that the sun is making a huge change in everyone's moods. I can definitely tell with my own mood. I'm having one of the best days I've had in a long time and nothing even remotely spectacular has occurred. All I want to do today is run errands and be in and out and moving around enjoying the sun outside but the warmth indoors. If my husband could personally thank the sun for shining and putting me in such a good mood I think he would. He might even send it a bottle of wine or a fruit basket.

I spent the morning in and out of the office for both work related and personal activities. I went and saw a friend who works at OC and went to chapel with her (because we’re nerds and miss it). Then I met my brother (who I was texting during chapel…he was there too so don’t give me the tisk tisk face) for lunch and then tried bubble tea for the first time at a small place in Edmond called Café de Taipei. Tapioca balls, really? Strangest thing I’ve ever had but not bad I suppose. I got a kiwi slush from this place too and it was made with real fruit and is delicious.
Now I am back at work, trying to get into the swing of my project while jamming out to my Ben Folds station on Pandora. Pandora is by far the most wonderful iPhone app ever.

I love being in a good mood.

Ja, alstublieft

Today, I am missing Europe. More than I ever imagined I would miss it.

It's cold and dreary here. It's cold and dreary there. I would rather be there.

I told Paul it probably has something to do with the music I am listening to today. It is making for a very reflective (and unproductive) day. I wish I was sitting in Museumplien on the cafe's Tolix chairs eating a waffle covered in fruit, drinking coffee and listening to this music instead of at my desk trying to get around floorplans, RFPs, and room finish schedules.

I want to go home after work, pack a bag and show up at the airport ready to purchase a ticket. It wouldn't matter what city I landed in, I just want to go (and the the idea of the UK/Ireland/Scotland in 2012 is like waiting for Christmas for an 8 year old, misreable).

Why don't people take sabbaticals anymore?

kitchen update and baby crazin'

So, the only thing people want to talk about with me lately is my kitchen. Maybe it's because it seems to be all I've been talking about lately so I suppose I can't blame them.

The old cracked plaster ceiling has been removed (see previous kitchen post). The new bead board ceiling was installed thanks to my husband, our friend Jacob, my brother Keith and his two roommates Zach and Aaron. (I felt like I was just writing a thank you note in a CD cover.) The new bead board ceiling got painted and new light fixtures were installed. I also got a jump start on the painting since I was home all day last Friday because of the snow/ice storm. There is still touch up around the trim to do, crown molding to install and painting to be done after the base cabinets are ripped out plus many other items but those are the immediate to-do items.

95 year old cracking plaster after the old light fixtures were removed before we started the demo.

 

It turns out, the cracking plaster was not failing plaster. It was just old and cracked. Nothing wrong with it. It was still very much intact and wanted very much to stay right where it was.

Rockin' the crowbar and hammer.

After the plaster was completely removed. Lath (lathe?) still all there (thank goodness).

Keith, Jacob and Paul getting close to finishing the bead board! At this point, I was pretty thrilled.

 

 The ceiling is painted...and I forgot to mention that the guys got the wall cabinets off for me too! And this was obviously taken on Friday after I had started painting the walls. 

New light fixtures. I LOVE THEM. I have (a couple of times) gone into the kitchen for no reason other than to turn on the lights and look at them. 

Paul working on the trim around our brick chimney. The column? It is staying just the way it is because it is one of the reasons I wanted to buy the house.

Our new refrigerator gets delivered on Saturday. I want to get started on the crown molding soon and then in a few weeks we demolish the remaining cabinets and counter and get the new stuff in! 

In other news...we went to Dallas this past Saturday to do some shopping and to visit my cousin, her husband and their new baby. By new baby I mean three weeks old baby. Lauren was precious and it was great to catch up with Matt and Melissa. 

Yes, I love holding babies right now. A lot. Leave me alone. 

Isn't she precious?! I love this photo of her. I took it on my phone to show my brother, sorry it's so blurry.

The women of the Chase house. Matt is seriously outnumbered.

Well it was a long Monday and I am glad it is over but have a long week ahead of me! Ta-ta for now bloggers.