Today we are heading to brunch with both my family and Charles’ family to celebrate my birthday.  Then we’re going to take a trip over to the house to show everyone the progress that’s been made.  I can’t wait for them to see!

Since I’ll be out most of the day, I’m keeping this short and sweet!

Currently:

Thinking:  About how productive yesterday was! We picked out all of the lighting for our house (inside and out), bought paint, met with the electrician, and still found time to have a date night for my birthday. :)

Hoping: That NC State wins one conference game this season.  It’s not looking good…

Wearing: OPI’s “Berlin There Done That” gray nail polish.  I’m so happy fall has arrived so I can pull out my all time favorite!!

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Loving: Old Navy this season! I gave up on Old Navy several years ago because everything just always looked and felt so cheap.  But after hearing several fashion bloggers praise the revamp, I decided to give it a try. And I’m so happy I did! Their prices are still great, but the quality has definitely gone up.  I bought this comfy sweater in 3 colors!  Next on my list, this vest!

Wanting: Dessert!

Feeling:  Delighted that we are getting close enough to being through with the house that we are picking out finishes!  You can see our guest bathroom choices here.  Yesterday we met with the local lighting store to pick out light fixtures for the entire house.  6 ceiling fans, 4 bathroom sconces, 2 bathroom vents, a chandelier for the foyer, a front porch light, and a new lantern for the lamp post at the street! Whew!

Clicking: #myfriendsaremarried.  A friend of a friend started it a while back, and I’ve loved keeping up with it.  Even though I’m married, I still find it hilarious!!

Check out Lauren’s blog to see what she and other bloggers are up to.  Have a fabulous Sunday and enjoy your week!! I’ll be back later this week with updates on our lighting choices and insurance solutions.  Stay tuned!

The last couple of days have been jam packed!!  Friday night we went to Monster Bash, the local Young Professionals Group Halloween party.  It was in an old uninhabited fire station, which was super cool.  Yesterday started with the downtown chili cook-off, which was super yummy.  Then we sat on a neighbor’s porch and enjoyed some drinks and snacks during the jazz festival downtown.   After that, we headed out to “the farm” for an Oktoberfest party.  Bonfire, fall beer, smoked sausage, and no one else around for miles….yep, it was a good time! :)

Currently:

Reading– All the backlash from Martha’s blogger comments.  Even if what she said is somewhat true, she should remember who her audience is and who her empire is made up of!

Writing– Nothing! I’m enjoying my relaxation time on the couch today!!

Listening– To some car show Charles is watching right now.

Thinking- About how excited I am for some of our favorite people!!  Congrats Janelle and David, and Colleen and Mark, on your engagement!! :)

Wishing– That NC State will get their act together and beat Carolina on Saturday!!  I hate those tarholes!

Hoping– Work will start picking up on the house soon.  We’ve had an injured carpenter and a sick electrician, so progress has slowed down a good bit lately.  Time to get going!!!

Wearing– Sweats! It’s finally COLD!

Loving– My husband.  He was out of town when I got my cast off last week, so when he got home on Thursday, he washed and buffed my foot, which was super nasty and scaly! He’s a good man!

Wanting– To take piano lessons.  Now that we have a piano, I’d love to be able to play it!!

Feeling– exhausted from this weekend.  Friday night and yesterday were a lot of time on my feet, but we had so much fun!!

Clicking– The 30 Life-Changing Things That Are Worth Every Penny.  I think a good mattress, a Dyson vacuum, and the Nest thermostat top my list.  Which do you think are totally worth the money?

Be sure to check out Lauren’s page to see what she and other bloggers are up to currently.  Have a super week!!

I can’t believe it’s already the middle of October! Where has this year gone?

We met with a good friend this morning (who just happens to be a pretty incredible architect) to discuss plans for our master bathroom. Of course I’ll be sharing that with you soon!  In the meantime, here’s what I’m up to…

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Currently–

Reading: Nothing at the moment.

Writing: My Christmas wish list! Our family always exchanges lists at Thanksgiving (a tradition we are ALL thankful for!), so I want mine to be ready. Mom and I usually go shopping on Black Friday, and I try to knock out as much shopping as possible that day.

Listening: To Rehab Addict on DIY Network.  Love that show!!

Thinking: About having a little shop party for The Remedy House at our house in early December. We wouldn’t be moved in yet, and there wouldn’t be much furniture, but it could be a fun little “sneak peek” at the house…plus there would be lots of great TRH stuff to help you check off your holiday gift list! (And, of course, cocktails.) What do you think, local friends? Anyone interested?

Wishing: I could sleep in. Without fail, I always wake up by about 7:15 on weekends. Why is it so easy to go back to sleep when you have to get up, but when there’s nothing to do, you’re wide awake?! (And now, for your viewing pleasure: animals yawning!)

(If you made it through that without 1. getting happier and 2. yawning, you beat me!)

Hoping:  It doesn’t rain the entire week so that some work can get done on the exterior!

Wearing: Jeans and a cardigan. Yay for cooler weather!

Loving: Pretty much everything in the Threshold line at Target. I’ve only picked up one lampshade though, and here’s why–I see it on every blog and every commercial and every ad! I love it, but is my home going to look like everyone else’s if I start adding these pieces in? Who knows. Maybe I’m over-thinking this.

Wanting: This game! I’ve played it a few times and it never disappoints…especially after a few drinks! It’s basically the adult version of Apples to Apples, which is one of my favorites.

Feeling: Happy that fall has arrived, even if it was rainy all week. I guess I better dig out my cold weather clothes!

Clicking: This post on faux fur. Fur used to only be acceptable in a cabin set deep in the woods, but now you can use it anywhere. A neutral fur throw draped over a graphic chair could easily take a room from boring to chic. How good would a white fur look on my pink couch?! So glamorous!

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Be sure to check out Lauren’s page to see what she’s up to.  I hope y’all have a great week!!  I’ll be checking back in soon with more updates on the house!

I have literally had NOTHING on the schedule this weekend.  Not a single thing.  We were invited to two weddings this weekend, but unfortunately I couldn’t make either of them…crutches and a massive cast don’t really go with outdoor weddings.  But I’m wishing both couples a lifetime of bliss!!

So, what have I been doing with this free weekend?  Catching up on tv, catching up on magazines, cleaning the house, and enjoying this beautiful (although non fall-like) weather.  Plus we moved a desk and a piano into the house!  Here’s what else I’m up to…

Currently:

Reading– This tutorial on how to tie a bow-tie.  I just feel like that’s something every southern girl should know how to do, and I’m determined to master it!!

Writing– A birthday card to sweet Brody, who turned 3 on Friday.  We’ll be heading to his birthday party this afternoon.

Listening– To HGTV.  Feeling blessed that we haven’t had to apply for an episode of “Rescue My Renovation”!!

Thinking– That throw pillows are ridiculously expensive!!  I love this, this, this and pretty much all of these, but geeeeez!! Those prices!  An expensive rug…sure, I can stomach that.  Even the occasional absurdly-priced bar cart.  But paying an arm and a leg for a pillow?  Nope, can’t do it.  Am I the only one that thinks this is crazy?  Any tips on where to find quality pillows at a better price?

Wishing–  My dear friend, Erin, a super duper 26th birthday! I can’t wait to see her next weekend!! :)

Wearing– Jeans and one shoe…my new normal.

Loving–  How good fall TV is so far.  I’m loving my old favorites: Grey’s, Scandal, Nashville, and Sons of Anarchy.  But I’ve also gotten really into a couple of new ones: The Blacklist (amazing!!), Hostages, and Betrayal.  I know, I watch way too much TV.  I discovered the new ones on demand while I was couch-ridden, and now I’m hooked!

Wanting– To create a bird bath like this.  I think it would be a great use of some of the old bricks from our pile!

Needing– To go through all of our mail.  It’s really piling up!

Feeling– Grateful for the possibility of a speedy recovery!  The original plan after my ankle surgery was to be in a hard cast for 4 weeks, without being able to bear any weight at all.  Then 4 more weeks in a walking boot.  But at my appointment last Monday, the doc said I was healing well, and that I will only need the hard cast for about 3 weeks.  Plus, I can start bearing 50% weight this week, then as much as I can tolerate next week!  And NO physical therapy needed!! Yippee!! That appointment was full of great news!

Clicking– This DIY spotted canvas tutorial.  I think it could be really cute (and really simple) in a chunky black or gold frame.

Be sure to check out Lauren’s page at http://siddathornton.blogspot.com/, where you can read about what she’s up to, as well as lots of other bloggers.  Have a great week everyone!! :)

Happy Sunday!  Here’s what I’m up to lately…

Currently:

Reading– This article about the lost art of the handwritten letter.  Anyone who knows me well knows that I love sending (and receiving) snail mail.  I have a massive card file with cards for every occasion.  There’s just something that’s so much more personal about opening up a letter or a card and reading it.  In the coming weeks, I want to try to send at least one piece of snail mail a week…to a friend, to a family member, maybe even to someone I don’t even know, but have “met” through blogging.  In my opinion, we should all take on this challenge!

Writing– Blurbs for items in our upcoming shop opening.  I’ve forgotten how many of these things I want to keep for myself!!

Thinking– About how nice it’s been to have an entire weekend at home with nothing that we HAVE to do.  We’ve definitely stayed busy with things that we’ve wanted to do, but it’s been nice to really have no agenda and no traveling!!

Wishing– This cool weather would stick around for a while.  It’s gorgeous outside!!

Hoping– I get some good pictures over at the house today.  Lots of big changes!

Wearing– PJ’s…yay for lazy Sundays!

Loving– These leather tassel keychains.  The colors are great for fall, and only $5!

Wanting– This set of gold nesting tables.  I think they would look perfect next to my pink couch!  Hopefully I can find some similar ones for much cheaper!

Needing– To do some laundry.

Feeling–  Thankful for a Sunday with nothing on the to-do list.

Clicking– This “Blogger’s Handbook” from The Barn Blog.  It’s cracking me up!!

Be sure to check out Lauren’s page at http://siddathornton.blogspot.com/, where you can read about what she’s up to, as well as lots of other bloggers.  Have a fantastic last week of summer!  Fall starts next Sunday! :)

Don’t forget The Remedy House is opening tomorrow!  Our first sale starts tomorrow evening on Facebook!