Portlandia decor?

So hub and I have plenty of chuckles about the various episodes of Portlandia and this week while we've been looking at our carpets we keep thinking that it'd be the perfect next theme for an episode: pet inspired decor! In our case it's feathers from bird kill and dog bones! :)

Now I need to make clear that we usually don't leave feathers from birds hanging out on our area rugs BUT the vacuum stopped last week and we have on order a new belt for it. Until it arrives, the vacuum will suck up dirt and not dog fur (or feathers!), so until then we're chuckling at each carpet viewing! (The feathers are spread under the entire table.)

These are the best dog bones we've ever had. My mom picked them up somewhere and gave them to the dogs on our visit in December. The dogs have yet to make it through any of the four bones but haven't given up on them. No matter how many times we stack them up somewhere in the house, by the end of the day, they're back littering our carpets.

So should you be looking for new decor inspiration---just let your animals go wild and don't pick up after them! Give a whole new meaning to the Portlandia terminology of put a bird on it (although the bird itself got taken outside)....or in this case, put a bone on it.

On a side note: Major also has an uncanny habit of tracking muddy footprints all over the bathroom and last night he knocked an entire glass of water off my nightstand---so I guess he's really wanting to get into some interior design business. ;)

Re-Organization is Totally Fulfilling

If there's one thing you should know about hub and I, it's that we both like change. A second thing is that we both tend to let little side projects stack up.

Now I don't know if it's that we're supposed to have house guests this weekend, the fact that we just spent two weekends with our somewhat pack-rat-like parents, or the reality that we've been living in this house for nine months now, but today was a day of rearranging and some project finishing. We'd already somewhat moved the furniture around so we could have the tree in the house, but today we swapped it around further and into a more cohesive arrangement. Our large red sectional is now in our front room (which I originally didn't want because our carpeting is a light blue.....however once you live with blue for months it starts to feel like a neutral), and our other couch and chair moved to the TV den area. Art work got moved around the rooms and walls and some new picture configurations were created. The area rugs also got swapped around to better match the new furniture arrangements. And for now we're both happy with the new lay-outs......well until after the next six months when we're again ready for something new ;)

I also finally took the time to print out a variety of pictures of our closest friends (thanks Facebook for granting me some great pictures!) and got them arranged in the collage-like frame I'd bought for that purpose months ago. It's nice to see the faces of some of our dearest hanging in the hallway and it's great to have the large frame finally off of the guest room floor!

We re-organized our entry area and cleaned up the shelf that sits there too. In addition, the rest of the Christmas presents were put away, books were shelved, the carpets were vacuumed, the house was dusted, the bathroom and guest room were given the once over, and baby cousin's wedding gift was readied.

Sometimes it's great to spend a day just plain re-organizing and ordering one's surroundings. Although there are still things to weed through (some of which I've been wanting to do even before we moved back). I finally took a bunch of my old financial papers to shred at work, but we've both still got stacks of magazines to go through and then recycle. I've got a bag of old batteries to recycle, a box or two of CDs and other junk taking up room in the garage, stacks of old papers on environmental topics I've been toting around with me for the last three years (including countless similar emails), we've got two old laptops to clean off and pass on, and I'm sure my closet could use another weeding through. Unfortunately all those items will have to continue to wait til "another day" however.

But for now I'm glad for what we did accomplish today and the house is just about back to feeling cozy again!

Home Decor Favorites

Birds, I love birds....and I love West Elm...this bird came from West Elm...and is made entirely out of recycled paper....it sits on a shelf in our living room.

Mirrors and windows that stream in light---both of which are in abundance in this home.

Homemade items--hub's finished entry way shelf project (shortened and stained).

International flare--we both love to travel and want to do more of it. This mask was purchased in San Antonio from the Mexican Market area. There are several other items around the house from our travels.

Framed photos & art...and also all things the beach. This was taken by my eldest brother and the frame is reclaimed wood. We have several other photos taken by family and a fabulous Thailand print of a painting created by the father of a friend.

Over-sized comfortable furniture...to fit hub's 6'4" frame and double as extra twin beds if necessary. (Old photo but it works!)

Comfy furnishings via pillows, blankets, drapes, and area rugs.

Second-hand goods: the desk, the futon, the spare bed, the carved coffee table, our Ikea chair, the entertainment center, the washer/dryer, and many other goods---second hand is second good! :)

Monday Perks

Yesterday was one of those slow starting days. I'd stayed up late the night before (partially to attempt to help me with adjusting back to the Pacific time zone) and so remained zonked out until late in the morning. The hub adjusted many of our accounts to reflect our new location and made several other calls to make sure utilities were set up correctly. We still need to set up garbage and recycling service, but intend to just do a monthly pick up...and when we called we needed more information than we had in that moment.

In the early afternoon we finally headed out for some errands. Hub needed to mail some paperwork into the Army and our old modem back to the company, so we found the local post office. The extra modem that we have wasn't compatible for some reason with the internet hook up here, so hub wanted to go look at new modems (as we're currently renting one from the company here). However in the process of organizing ourselves, we decided to head over to Costco and look into getting a membership there....

If you're wondering what Costco is....it's sort of an oversized discount warehouse. They usually sell bulk items at reduced costs and they have a variety of items. An annual membership is $50. While neither of us has had a Costco membership, we've talked frequently about whether or not it would be to our benefit. One concern I had at first after we purchased the membership and were walking around the store taking it all in, was whether or not they would have organic and/or any more natural products (aka cleaning products, etc). I was happily surprised to see local cheese and bread available, multiple organic options throughout the food areas, and a few greener cleaning alternatives. The biggest perk to our membership so far: 52 pound bags of the dog food we purchase for $24, 20 large bones for $12, and flea treatments at a reduced cost. We purchased toilet paper that will last us for six months and the Ecos brand of laundry detergent (210 loads for $13, the cheapest option on the shelf, and only with understandable ingredients listed). And the one thing we really wanted and of course forgot: 6 pound bags of frozen fruit for smoothies! We also got a new HP (photo) printer/scanner/copier for under $90--something the hub will need for school as he's been battling with the printer we had (and I've greatly missed the availability of my parents photo printer). (And something we used his Iphone barcode scanner to determine if it truly was a better deal than elsewhere.) To be honest, I'm pretty sure that we'll make up the membership fee just in dog food and bones alone this year.

Costco surprisingly did not have modems however so hub went to Best Buy to price check items and then ended up ordering one from Amazon at a cheaper price with his free shipping. While he was in Best Buy, I scurried down to Ross (one of the only stores that the hub greatly despises) to check out their home goods section for my ideal area rugs(FYI if you've never looked....Ross is a great place to get amazingly reduced bedding.....). Our family room is pretty set up but I have this West Elm inspiration for our living room and our entry way that I'm envisioning.....but not willing to spend much on. :) I already have most the items to get the flow I want, but with the older blue carpet in this place another area rug or two wouldn't be bad ideas. ;)

From the shopping center we spied an interesting, quick, and cheap looking food option, as we both were really hungry at this point. The Pita Pit proved to be amazing, fast, and pretty darn healthy! In checking out their website today, I even was able to view the complete nutritional break down of exactly what I ordered for dinner yesterday. We got them to go and brought them home.....

Which allowed me to take a quick lil run around the neighborhood prior to eating. My first run back in Oregon---definitely a bit harder at first after not running for a week, but felt pretty darn good by the end of the 3 miles. Hopefully hub and I will get back into it shortly!

Not too bad of a Monday to start the week off right! Hope y'all had a great Monday too :)

House Tour #4: Extra Spaces

LAUNDRY ROOM, GARAGE, AND BATHROOM

With the high heat of summer, the dogs kennels have moved from the garage into the laundry room. We stack them when they aren't used and then put them side by side to let the dogs into them. They're on tile just in case of any accidents, otherwise we could have put them in another area of the house. You can't see in the picture, large plastic bins that hold the dog and cat food. On top of the dryer is the cats' food & water bowls, and not pictured on the floor is the dog food bowl. The rug on the floor has been pretty beat up but is a hand-me-down from my parents. The washer and dryer we got for $100 from a family moving out of here last year. While not the most energy efficient, they still work fine! And there is a paper bag just inside the door for recyclables before we add it all into the recycle bin in the garage.

The garage (aka man grilling cave). Out here we have the neighbors extra futon and my old loveseat so the men can sweat together while they grill and do man stuff. ;) A side table next to the futon for drinks and two large tables for games and grilling fixings. Right in front of the garage door is the grill which gets pulled out onto the driveway when in use. Toward the right front is a large area for the hub's army stuff and for our tools, etc. And as you can see we've got our laundry hanging!

The bathroom looks exactly the same as the day the hub first set it up! Simple and functional.

Home Tour #3: Living Area

COMFORT

First picture has the original couch we purchased last summer. The red pillows are extras from the sectional. The other throw pillows I've accumulated over the years and used a technique from my mother for short-term recovering (standard pillow cases tucked in around a regular throw pillow). The near end table is an old shelf made by my dad many years ago and recently repainted brown. In that corner you can't see the tall paper lamp we purchased in the last year and a black & white photo taken by my brother. The table in the far corner is actually a carved chest from the Philippines that I love, came from my parents house, and holds extra throws & blankets.

The new and budgeted for sectional selected by the hub. The mirror above it is also new but was a fabulous steal for $99 (its pretty hard to even get glass that size for that price). The leather bench is extra storage and great for propping legs & drinks on. The lil quilt was designed-by-order/homemade from a friend's sister. Directly behind the couch where the lil lamp is sticking up is that side table I repainted and it holds controllers and drinks. The shelf barely visible in the front corner holds electronics and is below the TV.

My leather chair with throw pillows is in the corner with the neat paper latern above it. The pub table is one we love and purchased when we first got our place. Shells and driftwood are decorating the top of it. The area rug brings color to that side of the room and the extra chair in the corner holds my work tote. Under the clock we each have a basket that holds sunglasses, pens, wallets, etc. We have hooks for our keys and a clay art piece I made in high school collects spare change.

This shelf on the TV wall holds a photo of us when I first visited Louisiana, a decorative piece, a sign above that says Peace on Earth in Spanish, and two international items.

While this room has the most new purchases from building our home together, they're also items we will use for years, were well thought out, and that intermix well with the pieces we already had. Over the years we'll add more travel items and artwork, but for now it's just right for us.

House Tour #2: Kitchen Area

THE KITCHEN IS THE HEART OF THE HOME

No matter what, the kitchen always tends to be the heart of the home. Regardless of how comfortable the living room, everyone congregates within our kitchen and it's adjoining area. In this photo you can see our pantry area, fridge (with photos & items of home, recipes, and a few restaurant menus), and large counter space. The candles and African violet are actually left overs from friends that moved, as well as two other plants not pictured. Top of the fridge has some glass storage containers (thrift store finds), a large thermos for hub's work, and usually bones for the dogs. In the background is the entryway to our home.

I'm not a huge fan of cluttered counter tops, but unfortunately that's how the back corner of our kitchen survives: bamboo and glass cutting boards, knives, microwave, bread basket on top of microwave, and well, booze. Right of the stove, utensils in the holder painted 5 years ago by my nephew and an old strainer which is our fruit basket. To the left of the sink we place a towel for drying dishes washed by hand. On the stove, you see an espresso maker (Italian style) and a pan of brownies (thanks hub!).

One of my favorites things about this space is being able to look out the huge window. Two stools up to the counter, the hand-me-down desk in the corner (which will get passed on when we're back home with my old desk), the bench my dad made for an apartment (storing our breadmaker & crock pot), and the futon (via hub's friend) finish off this space and make a comfortable area for company in the kitchen. The drapery rods are some that have moved with me from two different apartments and happen to match the hardware in this house perfectly.

These last pictures demonstrate some of the dog areas. To the left of the futon, their water bowl. To the right of the futon is a large outdoor/indoor rug to catch dirty paws that we can't wipe in time, their leashes hanging on the wall, and a basket that holds their toys and old towels for said paw wiping. ;)

House Tour #1: Guest Room

I've been spending the afternoon thinking about how happy I am that we have reached a comfort level with our home. Sure there are little decor items we'd still like to do, but for the most part things are how we intend to have them and the furniture is perfect for our needs for the future. I've spent part of the afternoon rounding up pictures of the house and looking through home magazines and blogs. Our home will never be designed to a T but it's incredibly perfect for us, and still with enough blank spaces to allow us to add artwork that has meaning to us down the road. SO I thought I'd share some photos and details with all of you over the next week :)

"If you want to make a difference on the planet, this is it: Have nothing in your home or life that you do not know to be useful, believe to be beautiful or know that you will strive to keep in your life forever."

--Natalie "Alabama" Chanin

 GUEST ROOM

 Those of you that have followed this blog for years probably recognize most of everything that is in this first photo. The mattresses are slightly smaller as now we have the full that came from the neighbors in exchange for our queen. The duvet is one my mom and I made out of two old sheets and the blankets are some I've had for years. The sheets are organic cotton. The chair used as an end table is now blue and the other is an original from my grandparents-sister-me. The photo on the table is courtesy of my brother and under it is Lady's favorite sleeping spot--right between my old rabbit fur slippers from my family in Argentina! The print above the bed is my favorite painting from the father of a childhood friend. The lamp on the left was from Granny for my first apartment and the lamp on the right is part of a set picked up at a thrift store.

The chest of drawers and shelf in this photo are from my childhood. My parents had them custom made when they were stationed in the Philippines and I recently repainted them dark brown and modernized the hardware. The shelves hold a few token travel items and a part of our varied books, while the drawers have work-out gear and undergarments. The clock on the wall is from my parents house, the rug was a Granny gift for an apartment, and the curtains were a set I bought for our living room here. 

 The closet is probably the messiest part of this room but the husband and I keep separate closets and this is mine. We removed the doors about six months back for easier access. We have the spare TV (from my coworker who moved) in there so any guests can watch a movie. You can see my shoe basket and a couple other boxes I have stored as well. ;) On the wall is my cork board with a few inspirational items and then push pins which hold up necklaces and my hook earrings go into the corkboard on the top. (I got this idea from a magazine a long time ago. You can also use push pins to hang hook earrings on if you need more room.)

And this is from the guest room looking out which hopefully will bring a smile to your face as its an example of decorating compromise. My husband and I have battled over his Kramer poster since we moved in together and I finally can see the humor in having it greet our guests on the way to the spare bedroom. (Where they can be sure to be greeted by interested dogs as well.....) :)