Rainy day update

1) Its a rainy day and perfect for curling up stretching out in bed and watching the last season of Gossip Girl ...

except I'm doing laundry and  first need to resheet the bed (because I apparently packed up all the other linen. What was I thinking I still have a 1.5 months).


2) This makes me smile.

A toothbrush holder. My 4 year old is with her dad and when I see where she places her tooth brush it warms my heart  ... but the fact that she is with her dad right now adds to the perfect day for stretching out in bed and sneaking in a few episodes of GG.


3) And my IKEA HACK, along with packing boxes, unloading stuff at salvation army, researching living options up there and making killer  decisions on what I may need up North and what I should give away here and repurchase up there so everything I LOVE fits into the 16 x 9 x9 POD that will be delivered in a few weeks I am researching ribbons and fabric for weaving on to the Gullhomen rocking chair

One of the pieces of furniture, er, I mean frame that I am opting to stuff in the POD is the wicker rocking chair, an IKEA favourite.  Mine has been moved around from one apartment to the next house to the next, to the next (that's 4 total moves), since 2000.  At first loved and oh so cool, and then eventually left outside where the elements got the better of it.  I tore of the leftover rattan and am researching weaving options. I want some kind of colourful ribbon weave or maybe a pvc yarn for out door use, left over fabric (check out pinterest) ... which would be a great way for me to reuse and monument my past collection of t-shirts rather then hauling them off to the thrift store.

4) House selling update. The house did sell, (did I mention that?) and besides the packing part, the inspection was signed off with a few minor things to fix (electrical covers in the basement, and a leaky faucet in the basement); the buyer's loan people came out to appraise the house since the selling price was significantly higher (for this area) then I bought it for.  They need to see for themselves the kitchen reno, bathroom reno, vestibule upgrade (even painted walls increase the value, he told me). That was all approved. So other then that, its up to me to pack before the closing day which is mid June and perhaps re weave the IKEA rocking chair..

Medicine cabinet

I found and painted this "medicine cabinet" a few weeks months ago and finally installed it in the main bathroom, possibly the smallest main bathroom in existence.  Extra storage was needed, but I didn't want to darken the space with shelves or anything that may make the room feel smaller (having already lightened up the room during the renovation a few years ago).  I scored this tall and narrow piece at Marshall's and painted it classic gray. It fits perfectly in the recessed area and doesn't get in the way of entering the shower.   My medicine supplies consist of only a few bottles of things, but the shelves are good for all other bathroom supplies.

Next up, some hooks for towels; either hidden behind the door or a few pegs extending from the medicine cabinet and behind the door. And painting the last frame on the cabinet is in order. And a nicer looking shower curtain rod...

Dealing with the shelf over the toilet... This was custom made by the bathroom renovators, but my vision didn't quite present itself to the carpenter. I'm looking for a taller piece with more room between the shelves. And a place to hang a hand towel.

And installing a  tubular skylight. I have just discovered this item and it is exactly what my little, windowless bathroom needs.

The Oxford comma, and other links

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My accomplished cousin, both new to the bar lawyer and an opera singer, recently declared on facebook; oh why, oh why not the Oxford comma. A responder posted this joke, which I found particularly amusing. Hailing from Canada, I suspect I was not encouraged to use the Oxford comma (aka serial comma). Also, being a tad bit of a minimalist, the less writing I had to do the better. I rarely use it. But I love that I have been reminded of the name of this extraneous comma and its background.

Browsing the magazine racks recently, I flipped through  Somerset Home Magazine Vol.8 and found some inspiring craft projects.  I have a bunch of lifestyle, decor blogs I follow, but I still love flipping through a magazine.  I like the idea of this table cloth and am especially interested in making the mobile and lace curtain. I have one doily to start a lace curtain edge.  I'll need to go hunting for a few more. I am not crafty enough, but if you are go here for an attempt at being published.

Updates in my own home; I placed a few of my vases on the mantel, simplified it. (From l-r; a Turkish etched rock, vase from Costa Rica, Turkish urn pottery, Taiwanese vase, Nicaragua pottery, LAUGH, and an antique frame holding my sons first drawings). Although I want a white fireplace, something not so in your face, I am not committed to this house and tend to leave that decision to the next owners. C'est la vie.

I bought and primed a few pine planks to see if I want to pursue built-in shelves on either side of the fireplace. The planks are currently supported by my antique butter box and other wooden crates. That works for me (and "not being committed to this house", surely I would have to paint the bricks white if I pursued built-in shelves)!

The switch plates arrived. A small but desirable improvement.  I like how the frame of the switch plate is similar to the casings around the window and doors. And they all match! Now I can order a dozen more for upstairs.

My intentions for a garlic garden .... well, I cannot dig out the Morning Glories when they look like this, so that will have to wait!

And the kitchen pantry is half built. Still waiting for that rainy day for the contractor to come. Do you know, there has not been a rainy week day for two and a half months. WOW!  Im considering something like this (rope knob) for the pantry doors (since the hardware I have on the rest of the cabinets was discontinued. BOO).

So, are you nay or yea for the Oxford comma? How are you coming along, cozying up your house for the fall and winter?