floors!

Let me preface this post by saying, I know NOTHING about refinishing floors.

OK. It's more than nothing: I know it's a lot of work. It's all in the sanding and dusting. It takes patience to get the most beautiful, smooth finish.

So, I left it to the professionals. A coworker recommended Dusty and he came over and worked his floor magic. And by "magic" I mean hard work.

BEFORE

My floors weren't in terrible shape except around the fireplace where there had been some water damage. In that area they were kind of warped and wonky. The poly/stain/lacquer that had been put on the floors had lots of orangey-yellow undertones. When Dusty and I first talked he asked what color stain I wanted and I really didn't want any stain. He was definitely not trying to up-sell me and was totally on board with my simple floors. My goals were clean and bright. I wasn't sure what kind of wood I had, but the house was built in 1920. She's going to show some of her age.

Side note: oak in the living room/dining room and pine in the hallway/bedrooms, which is why it looks different even though everything was done the same way. 

I don't have a lot of good pictures because I made videos to send to my family [this is what you do when you're a single person making grand life changes and your family lives hundreds of miles away, but still want to know things]. My videography skills are TERRIBLE. I'm not exaggerating. I always think I'll be artsy and it will be silent and then I snort or can't control my constant chatter and they go on and they're long and no one not related to me wants to see that. TRUST ME.

DURING

sanded - one coat of poly on oak - one coat of poly on pine

This was a tiny moment of panic for me...ARE MY FLOORS GOING TO BE TOO LIGHT? WILL THEY BE SHINY? WILL THEY BE BEAUTIFUL? And what do I do if they're not?!? [besides cry of course] I just spent all my savings on the down payment for this house and the rest of it on this version of the floors.

AFTER

You should feel these babies. They're smooth and luxurious and divine. It took about 2 days for the floors to get finished and then patience for them to cure for another 3 days.

My closet is my favorite before/after. I'm pretty sure this remodeled at some point because it seems like there used to be a wall running through the middle, right? When I bought the house it had carpet, so I pulled it all up and discovered this hot mess, but look at how good it looks now!

If you're in the Indianapolis area, I totally, 100% recommend contacting Dusty if you need to get your floors done.

front porch

It's been in the high 60s here and I AM SO EXCITED TO PUT TOGETHER MY FRONT PORCH! EEEEEEeeeeeeee!

I made this fab illustration showing my excitement. Please try to contain your awe at my skills.

Then this morning snow fell from the sky and the temperature dropped about 40 degrees. So...I'm making a mood board [it's my first!] and dreaming of reading on my porch.

1. My exterior house colors are the green and cream and then a terra cotta color on the windows that's pretty hard to see in pictures. I definitely wanted to incorporate more of that color in the porch, so I started with a rug. I picked up a 4x6 indoor/outdoor rug from overstock. EXACT

2. I got my outdoor furniture when someone was getting rid of their old stuff...so mine isn't in great shape, but I have this entire Martha Steward set from Home Depot [it comes with one more side chair, but I think I only want one on my front porch]. 

Did I mention I got it for FREE? WOO WOO! EXACT

3. This wicker chair isn't available anymore, but it's from one of the Target displays they do 4-6 times a year. I picked it up for half off knowing I'd want to put it on my front porch. SIMILAR

4. I grabbed a set of 8 napkins when I was at The Pioneer Woman Mercantile to make into pillows. It worked perfectly! My pillows are so cute and they're floral. *swoon* I don't know if they're discontinuing the napkins, but I've seen them in store and you can't get them online. They're super affordable at $8-10 for 8 cloth napkins. 

5. Are paper lanterns still cool? Am I trying to make 2007 happen again? I don't care. I enjoy them and in my cozy space that's all that matters, right? I've got three from IKEA that will hang from the ceiling. EXACT OVAL EXACT ELLIPSE

6. STAR LIGHTS?! This is another project I'm working on from some clearance Fourth of July decorations I picked up. We shall see if it works out! SIMILAR

7. Lanterns are part of the coffee table decor [and maybe side table if I get one or two]. I have three that have been in storage for years that are finally making their debut! Getting out all the things I've been collecting is so much fun! It makes all my bargain shopping worth it! [At least that's what I'm telling myself to justify all the things.] SIMILAR SIMILAR

8. In my IKEA run last week, I grabbed these lacy tea light holders. I love how feminine and delicate they are. I'm sure they'll be hanging out on my mantle sometimes too. EXACT

Now, there aren't any plants in this mood board, but I'm hoping it's like a jungle out there. GOALS. 

Want to come over for a cup of coffee? 

xoxo

HAPPY GALENTINE'S DAY!

Sorry lady friends, but there's no breakfast or waffles involved. I'm sad too, but work's got me sleeping all day. If you win and you're local maybe I'll take you out on a day I'm off.

Work ruins everything except my bank account. Well, and I love my job but that's another story for another time.

You know Leslie Knope's Galentine's Day is making it when NPR publishes a story on it.

SOOOOOooo, I have things to giveaway.

The sweetest love mug, a pair of earrings from my favorite [now closed] earring maker, a fantastic neutral nail polish, my fave lip balm [and it's vegan! and raw!], that egg thing that I use to hold my earrings [it's amaze for all the studs], and a big pile o' caramels [handmade by me]. 

I could take or leave Valentine's Day, but I love LOVE and I love hearts and pink, so I'm down. BUT, celebrating women for Galentine's Day? ALL DAY ERRRY DAY.

I've been so inspired by women in marches, women speaking positively about their bodies, women who stand up and persist, older adults finding love with unexpected partners, and women who thoughtfully fight for what they believe.

What or who is inspiring you? Comment to win the goods [and breakfast if you live locally]. 

random.org chooses #3, Erin (-: 

xoxo

commenting open until 1/14/17 at midnight

ten things

one: The Pioneer Woman Mercantile

My mom, my favorite SIL, and I went to Pawhuska, OK to visit the PW Merc and it was everything I had hoped it would be.

We got there around 10:45am in the middle of the week and popped in line right away. We missed breakfast [which I wanted to eat because it's my favorite meal, but I guess this gives me a reason to go back!] and were seated after waiting in line for just a few minutes. We ordered two appetizers and I got the grilled cheese. It was amazing. We stuffed ourselves and I attempted to save some room for pastries [of which I knew I'd need several to sample]. Then we walked around the general store portion and I got the CUTEST squirrel door stop probably ever made.

My favorite part was the bakery and coffee shop upstairs. Tables and sweet mismatched furniture made up several areas to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee and a pastry [or four] with your friends. I had the most delightful cheese danish and a cortado--we also may have gotten a lemon bar, pain au chocolat, and a rice crispie bar.

two: Marco Polo

I'm LOVING this app. Two completely unrelated friends convinced me about two months ago that I needed to download this app. It's basically video/voice texting, but it doesn't disappear like a snapchat. It's a private message between you and whoever you're talking with. You can also make groups. I love being able to see faces. I love being able to express myself. I love not typing all the things I have to say. I love that I don't have to answer immediately to see it like with FaceTime. It's super fun and I totally recommend the download. If you want to be friends there's a 95% chance I'll send you a message from my toilet. You're welcome.

three: Nicolette Valikoski

Do you know my love for florals? Nicolette's art is on my short list of PAINTINGS I NEEEEEEED IN MY LIFE. *not an official list* Do you see that texture? Do you see those colors? GAAAAAAAAH.

four: Paper Mate InkJoy Gel pens. I've officially thrown out every other pen in my life because this is all I need.

five: Book of Common Prayer App

This is an app I downloaded when it first came out. The timing and words always seem to align with what's going on in my life and in our world. I'm working on getting in a better practice of taking a moment three times a day to use this as a way of reminding me what I'm about.

six: Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events on Netflix

I savored every episode and attempted not to watch them all in one sitting. NPH is amazing in the role of Count Olaf and the children--the Baudelaire orphans--are fabulous. Once I started watching, all I could think about was how much this show reminded me of another of my favorite shows, Pushing Daisies. Turns out they share a producer in Barry Sonnenfeld.

seven: Trader Joe's Fair Trade Guatemalan Coffee

Plus the packaging is super cute. THOSE FLOWERS. See above for my luuuurve of flowers.

eight: Ninja Coffee Bar

Y'all. I stopped going to Starbucks every day before work. WHO AM I??? I love, love, love my Ninja Coffee Bar. It's changed my coffee drinking ways. I got mine on sale from Macy's for about $100, and I've probably already saved that much in NOT buying coffee all the time. I'm excited to try it out for iced coffee when it gets warm to see if I like that as much as I do the hot coffee.

The only thing I still need is a coffee tumbler that will keep my coffee hot. I have to be able to throw it in my bag without leaks. Suggestions?

nine: i am baker's The Perfect {Bakery Style} White Cate. OBSESSED. It is the queen of all cakes.

ten: Kim's FREE print from Manayunk Calligraphy

In lieu of a wreath on my front door I'm going to hang a picture frame with this print in it. Follow Kim on IG and visit her website to see all her beautiful creations!

Look for something for Galentine's Day soon, friends!

via GIPHY

xo, amy