fashion find: Ruche

for all you anthropologie lovers out there, today i stumbled across an online boutique called Ruche. This looks to be a less expensive shop with same kind of vintage flair as anthropologie.

on a side note: good news today.... our mortgage was approved!! yeah!!

fave finds: the contemporary kitchen

You have nooo idea how excited I am about moving in to our new house and using the huuge kitchen, even though right now it has a total "country kitchen" vibe to it (hello powder blue!), and kev and i are anything but country. Needless to say, we plan to do some serious (yet inexpensive) updating. Here are some of my favorite finds in the search for the perfect kitchen modernization plan...

I'm absolutely loving these tiny "fog" colored glass subway tiles in the backsplash from modwalls. K and I also have a big thing for white cupboards. We really like how clean, bright and cheery it makes the room look. Plus painting our current cupboards is our most affordable option at this point, rather than having to replace cupboards that are still in great shape :)

In this pic (http://www.marinkitchenco.com), I love the contrast between the dark wood floor and the white cabinets. It feels so clean without being too sterile. Little bright acessories bring the room to life. And I love the cute little hanging ceiling lamps: i. want. them.

This picture (http://javabali.info/) really makes me happy. It takes a seemingly cramped space and opens it up with freshness and light. Did i already mention that I am in love with white subway tiles? and the wood countertop looks gorgeous here and really warms up the space.

We're gonna be homeowners!!

Holy crappers!!! Today we signed the papers accepting the sellers final offer! We went a little above our goal price, but I think it will be worth it to coincide with our lease being up on 2/28, and that we are buying soon enough to get the $8000 tax credit!


We are super excited and nervous and relieved all at the same time, although the process is really only beginning. I hear that buying a home is one of the most stressful things you'll ever do. We've made it this far, so I think we'll be ok. Right now a million thoughts are zooming through my head, about how to decorate it, and imagining what my new daily routines will be like. It is soo exciting!!


I'll miss the short commute to work (and being able to walk during the summertime), but I am super psyched to be able to park in a driveway or garage, versus in the street!! And just being able to spread out a little, and plant a little garden (yayy!), and not have to worry about tip-toeing around so as not to disturb the neighbors below! So many positives!


Here are a few pics of the house, and some of my ideas for updating...

the living room:

our plan: paint the walls a color (maybe a green) that will make the fireplace pop. we also want to keep all trim white and add crown molding throughout the room.

the kitchen:

our plan: cupboards will be painted white. countertop will be painted charcoal gray (yes, they make countertop paint!) backsplash tiles will be removed, and we will probably add a more modern small gray subway tile for the backsplash. Blue walls and all trim will be painted white (or a more modern color if white seems too bland). Eventually, we'd like to change the flooring to a large slate-colored tile, and update appliances to stainless steel.

the dining room:

our plan: remove icky window treatments, remove the chair rail, repaint (i'm picturing this room a burnt orange color with white trim).

the master bedroom (not huge but has decent closet space!):

our plan: carpet will be ripped out & we will keep hardwoods underneath. room will be painted a neutral color, probably beige to coordinate with our current green/beige colored bedding and beige curtains. closet doors will be replaced at some point.

bedroom #2:

our plan: needs a new paint color, but i think thats it!

bedroom #3, aka our new computer room:

our plan: wallpaper and carpet will be removed immediately leaving hardwoods. we will probably paint this one something funky because this will be our computer/guitar/rec room. icky closet door will be replaced at some point as well.