Last Weekend of Summer

Last weekend of summer...Soak up the sun, drink something fun, and get some good R&R!

Plumbers & Feeling Flushed

Things are still moving along with the house...electrical has been ruffed, plumbing has been ruffed, and most importantly we passed the builders inspection. I have a new found respect for plumbers and electricians. They may like to display their buttock cleavage....you know what I'm talking about...but these people are smart! Our house currently looks like a science project on crack, wires and pipes galore. It's amazing it will eventually all sink up to our lighting plan shown below. Designed by the ever so talented, AGI.

Speaking of lighting plans, the selection process has started. We have lots of ceiling mounts and fixtures to decide on. Given that we have the standard ranch-o 9'ft ceilings we are limited to the long pendant beauties.

Insert Flush Mounts. They have really come a long way since the good ole boob light.

Here are some of my favorite flush mounts and the current contenders for our addition...

Circa Lighting Basil

Circa School House

Don't like that price tag? Here's a knock off I found that we plan on using in our laundry room

Home Depot

Of course not as pretty but

linen drum shade

Circa Bell Jar

Circa Clark

One of my all time faves...may have to splurge!

There you have it. Any personal faves or other good flush mounts to share? All suggestions welcome.

We do get out - End of Summer Round Up

I swear we do other stuff than live thru a house renovation and go to Home Depot and tile places on the weekends. We've actually been on the go quite a bit this summer. Then again, what's new?!

Here goes my iphone photo dump Summer series.

After the 4th holiday, we went to the beach with some friends. Some really fun friends. We had a blast. Thanks Er {& Paul} for hosting us!

Nice photo bomb PH

Next up we traveled to Lake Martin. If you haven't ever been to Lake Martin, work on getting yourself invited. Fun times. Large lake, but low key lifestyle. You know what they say about Alabama, but good people come from over there! Thanks to Patty & Shaler for hosting us.

Poor Rip had a little stomach surgery so this was how he got around.

A fun fiesta for bride to be Jtomm and a 30th celebration for Tina.

And lastly we took Finn to the hooch last weekend for some water time. This was good people watching! If you are bored and looking for sober action, go check out the drunks shooting the hooch. I'm not judging, that was me just a shy 5 years ago and it was one of the most fun Saturdays of my life. But seriously what entices people with a buzz to climb into the woods and jump off a random branch 30 ft high just 'cause?! It's free entertainment for the bystanders. Check it out, you won't regret it.

Three Years & a House Update

We celebrated 3 years yesterday. Three.Years. So crazy, seems like yesterday.

Remember last year when I did the cheezy 2 year post? I thought I might be getting the Big D papers after that post. I'll keep it light this year!

We talked last night at dinner about the past year. Year 3 has been good for us. We feel really settled. Not in like a boring rut settle, more in a we really know each other and feel very content. The first year is all about adjusting - well at least it was for us. Of course there was the honeymoon phase and all that jazz, but it was challenging at times to adjust to coordinating schedules and sharing a remote! Year two we bought a house and got all moved in, traveled a bunch, etc. And this past year, we've just had fun and really enjoyed each other.

Enough of the romance talk, we had a very nice dinner here - highly recommend the octopus and lobster pasta.

Here is the latest with the house...


-The roof is up and shingled:

-Inside bedroom ceiling is 'trayed out'...can't remember the real terminology.

-Shower looks like well a shower...so excited for this.

Up next, lighting plans, bath fixtures, tile selection. This is a lot to take in!

Are We All Braggarts Now?

Food for thought...

A wise, humble, witty friend shared this article with me and I found it worth sharing.

Boasting Epidemic Goes Viral; Crowing Boosts Self Esteem but It's Annoying

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444184704577587091630924000.html

How trutful is this?!

Building Progress & a few Tile Pics

I'm almost scared to say it, but the addition is moving along at a good pace...should I even say fast pace. The contractor is quick to remind me that this is the fast part. The intricate inside details come next. Wires, pipes, electrical...the manl-y stuff.

Until then, a few more building progress shots...

The roof line was installed late last week and the roofers were there bright & early Saturday. Nothing like a 7:30am wake up call on Saturday AM to the sound of bullets and nails going straight through your head! No complaints here, we like progress and the Oct 31 deadline...

I also began the process of tile shopping. Something about that sounds so weird & grown up. Is that really how I am spending my Saturdays now?! Anywho, I went o Floor & Decor per the advice of several friends. Advice: Don't ever go to that place hungover or tired. It is overwhelming and exhausting. The selections and options are endless.

Thank goodness, I have my style pretty much nailed down. Clean & White.

Carrera Marble on a Travertine budget! Sad.

Foundation & Framing

I'm back. It's been a crazy two weeks living through workers and mud and we're only in the beginning stages of this little project. It is amazing how quickly they pop up the framing. Apparently, it slows down once the electrician and plumbing come into the picture.

So, here we go. This is day 1 after the concrete foundation was poured.

We survived 2+ years looking at this beauty of yellow and orange brick!

Day 2 the start of the framing. This will be the floor of the addition. Below will be the unfinished basement.

Main view from side of yard. The plan is to demo current deck and build out a new, larger one.

View from corner of back yard. You can't really see this view unless you walk to the corner of the back yard.

View from middle of back yard. This will be a big window(s) in our master bedroom.

This will be my pretty new walk in closet and you can see JH behind the diagonal piece of wood.

Today they begin the roof line.

Stay tuned! This is fun.

Breaking Ground

It's official. We are adding on to our home. The demolition has begun.

It's going to be an interesting 3 months {yea right, more like 6...we know how these contractors work!} but we are thrilled & excited to get more space.

I'm most excited about a washer and dryer in the house- not in the dark, scary basement only accessible via outside. Picture cold winter nights when you just finish taking a hot shower, hair wet, pj's on and then it hits you 'crap, I forgot to transfer the clothes'. Or the summer nights when you are dodging spider webs and praying and hoping a snake doesn't come out of the wood works.

I know, if this is all I have to complain about life isn't so bad, but you get my frustration, right? Regardless, it's going to be fun. Remind me of this in 3 months when we're in marriage counseling on how to survive living together! {reminder - my husband is extremely OCD}. 

In all seriousness, I'm very grateful we have the opportunity to take on this project and I know it will be fun to document the progress throughout.

So here we go. I forgot to take a picture before.

Day 1 after Digging:

Here's to hoping Finn can survive her backyard being all shredded to pieces. She is a little confused why she is hanging out in her crate so much this week and her mom & dad are already worn out by her excess night time energy, but we're working on what to do with the pup now....one day at a time.

Until next time,

Console Table for Sale

One of my friends {who is a talented interior designer} purchased this console table for a client and unfortunately it didn't fit the space.

She is selling it at her cost for $600.00.

Corsica Wall Table. Untouched Pine measuring 58"W x 14.25"D x 30.5"H

Any buyers?? If interested email mabuzzell@gmail.com

It's a looker!