It's been awhile!

I have updated the house tour, check it out here.  here's a peek of some things around the house.

I also updated out AFI top 100 list.  We watched several more in the last couple of months.

Visitors are coming!

I have been keeping some things a secret around here because my parents are coming into town, to surprise them.  I am willing to share some things we worked on for our guests.

I guest room got a little redo:

I also worked on my office/Packer room;

Very excited for my parents to come visit.  Updates after they leave on the great things we did.

2015 Resolutions

Happy New Year!

A review of 2014 resolutions

2014 Resolutions:

Finances:-Start a Roth IRA -Increase savings again-Get life insurance

Relationship:-Go on a vacation-Continue watching AFI's Top 100-Try 2-3 new recipes/restaurants per month 

Home:-Renovate Kitchen-Hem curtains-Clean up backyard

I left my job in July, so some things were more difficult with tighter finances.  This is also why we will have some changes to our 2015 resolutions.
We did continue to watch AFI movies, but slowed down considerably.  We hope to watch more this year, than 2014.
We did renovate the kitchen.  We are about 90% complete.  We need some assistance with some things, and will get help the end of January with that.  Nick did work on the backyard, but more is needed to finish it.

2015 Resolutions:

Finances:
-Increase savings account
-Start and maintain reasonable budget

Relationship:
-Continue watching AFI's Top 100
-Try at least 1 new recipes/restaurants per month

Home:
-Finish kitchen renovation
-Paint living room
-Clean up backyard

This year is about limiting spending, and maintaining a budget.  Should be a fun year.

X-mas List

Someone has asked us for our Xmas lists, so Nick and I spent a lot of time creating this list.

Lisa:

Packers Keychain

Blugolds Shirt 3X

Silver Packers Alex and Ani Bracelet (currently out of stock)

Sarah Style

White Cuisinart Immersion Blender

1.00ct Emerald Ring: Size 10

Nick:

Tabletopics: Sports Edition

Variety Incense Sticks

Incense Burner

30 for 30 Season 1

30 for 30: Season 2; Vol. 1

Medium Grill Cover (59 inch)

Both:

Amazon Gift Card

Home Depot Gift Card

Backsplash Tile

We finally finished the backsplash!

Close up, it looks a little funky.  The walls are not perfect, but from far away you can't notice.

We are almost done with the kitchen.

Pantry Doors

While I was reviewing options for the kitchen renovation, I knew the pantry had to stay, but I hated the bi-fold doors.  They never closed all the way, and sometimes got off the track.  I found this tutorial from 2 Little Superheroes that turned bi-fold doors into french doors.  I was in love instantly.  I would be able to reuse the old doors, and get to use the back of the doors to hang aprons, and potholders.  Win-Win!

Here is what it looked like before; with doors removed:

Here it is now:

I originally painted the doors Fedora by Behr, but the color was too greenish brown, and not nearly dark enough.  I repainted it Black Suede by Behr. The color is so much better, and from a distance looks like the black-brown color of the cabinets.

I put the hinges about equidistant  from each other, but if I would do this again, I would put the hinges farther apart from each other.  It's a minor issue, and a lesson learned.

We are nearly done with the kitchen.  More pictures next week.  We have purchased the pendant light for above the island, but those won't be installed until I have help, because of some unusual electrical work in the house.

Kitchen view

When we decided to redo the kitchen, I wanted a more open living space.  The wall separating the kitchen from the living room need to be expanded.

Here is the view from the front door looking into the living room (2011).  The kitchen is through the archway.

Here is the view now from the front door.  No more built-in bookcase.

The kitchen isn't separated from the living room.  It feels more cohesive, and brighter.  It is exactly what this house needed to modernize it.

I have worked on the pantry doors, but need to repaint them.  More on that next week.

Vince is in the House!

Weeks ago, while shopping at Walgreens, I got a coupon, for a free 11x14 photo "poster".  I had taken a picture of the Vince Lombardi Statue outside of Lambeau Field many years ago.  I have always loved that picture, and I used the coupon as an opportunity to get it printed for free.  

I was delighted when I picked up the print.  It looked great.  I picked up a classic black frame from Target for $20.

So for only $20, Vince is in the house!  I really want to put it in the bathroom, but I think that might be a little creepy.  

We are still working on the finishing details of the kitchen.  Nick started the back splash behind the range, and I finished all the trimwork.  I will be working on caulking that trim this week.  

Kitchen Reno: What's Left?

We have been slowly working on the kitchen.  The little details are slow going, and not noticeable unless pointed out.  Here's what we have left:

So as you can see what we have left is a couple small projects (pantry doors and backsplash) and lots of caulking and touch up painting.  It's slow going, but we will eventually get to the finish line.

Closet Redesign

I have had a jewelry armoire for a few years now.  It held all of my jewelry, most of which I never wore.  I decided to get real, a piece of furniture to hold items that I rarely or never wear, is a waste.  I converted part of my section of the closet to be a useful jewelry section.  

*sorry the lighting is poor, the closet light is all I had.*

I donated all the jewelry I didn't wear or want, and my friend wanted the old armoire. I know she will put it to good use!  

I removed 2 shelves, one to add the drawer, and one to be hang jewelry on the sides.  This part of the closet was a shallow PAX wardrobe, so I went to Ikea and found the drawer and hooks for my size PAX.

I like this because I get to see all the jewelry I actually wear. The drawer hides other jewelry (bulky, or sentimental) and jewelry care supplies.

I hope to add a mirror along the back wall someday.