9 year blogiversary

Nine years ago this month (I have spent the whole year thinking it was 8 but I just did the math and gained a year!) we closed on the limestone and started this blog. I didn't know anything about blogging except that it would be a sort of forced diary for me.
 

It feels at once forever ago and yesterday.  You can read my first post here but this pretty sums it up...

Anticipating a day that we will actually live in this house and that the house be totally transformed, I'm starting this blog to chart the progress. Or lack thereof. When its all done, I'll look back on it and laugh at all the crazy times. You know, how the work finished early and under budget and better than we hoped. HA!

Well the work wasn't finished early or under budget it did finish and we do live here. Success!  We learned a lot (oh the irony of life experiences! no matter what the subject, you learn everything you need to know exactly after you needed to know it!) and practically killed each other but here we are. I won't pretend that I wish I was back there - life is much better now with working plumbing and heat!

Nine years and counting.  Who knew I could be such a blabbermouth?

Country Cottage Renovation

While my gut renovation days are behind me (at least for the foreseeable future), I'm very excited for my brother and his wife to embark on their own adventure. They recently purchased this little cottage in upstate in NY and are about to go headlong into the world of DIY.

It needs quite a bit of work but I'm excited to see how they transform this little house into a home. My brother is quite handy (you may remember him from such posts as wooded wedding invitations, the best wedding of all time, the idiots guide to changing a light fixture, and DIY photo shelves)

There is a lot of work to be done and they are on a very tight budget but I have complete faith they will make something beautiful here.  Maybe they will even let me lend a hand here or there.  More to come on this country cottage renovation.

Grüß Gott Vienna

Last month we took a short trip to see Vienna and its Christmas markets.

We had always wanted to see at least one of Europe's famous Christmas markets and had never been to Vienna so it seemed like a good fit. Of course with a toddler in tow, it made it a little more complicated but we still had a great trip.

As you would expect, it was cold and quite dreary during the day.  Luckily there were beautifully outfitted markets on nearly every corner in the city center as well as gorgeous light displays hung on the pedestrian streets.  It certainly made for much more enjoyable strolls.

The Christmas markets themselves were more fun to eat at than shop at.  Almost all of them seemed to have similar wares for sale.  We did make a few purchases - namely some lovely olive wood bowls to bring back as gifts - but the food is where it's at.  Hot sausages, fried bread, and hot waffles were our favorites. I never quite took to the spiced wine but hot cider on a cold night = perfection! It seemed the whole city was out celebrating the season and we were happy to be there to share.

When exploring a new city, we tend to take it by foot and just stroll around to get our bearings. But since it was so chilly, we decided to take one of those obnoxious tourist buses around town. It worked out really well - both as a break from the chill as well as a spot to learn a few fun facts about the city while Aggie caught a nap.


We made a visit at the Schonbrunn zoo which was excellent.  Definitely a stop worth visiting.  The palace grounds were also beautiful to walk around in and of course they had a bustling Christmas market right at the center.

A trip to Vienna would not be complete without a stop at the Belvedere to see Klimt's famous Kiss painting as well as the rest of the collection.  Now Aggie is a little older, we can add the odd museum back into the itinerary.

We spent a few hours at the Naschmarkt on our final full day.  We tend to love local markets but this one was a bit of a bust for us. I think we went on an off day or time.

We also stopped at the famous Prater amusement park which had its charms even in the winter.  I'm sure its a lot more fun in the warmer weather.

Overall a great trip to see another one of Europe's beautiful cities.  I'm glad we got to experience the fun of the markets but I think I might save our next European visit for a warmer month.

DIY 3 Bin Stand

You've seen the patisserie and the dress up boutique.  Closing out the series is simple but functional 3 bin storage unit that That's My Letter built to house the make your own stuffed animal activity.   This piece worked perfectly for its purpose but will make a great piece of toy storage going forward.  Want to build your own?  Pop over to That's My Letter for free plans and details.




That's a wrap for the DIY party stands.  I hope you've enjoyed seeing more of the details that went into each. I'll be eternally grateful to Jaime for sharing her talents with me and making this party such a success.

DIY Pretend Play Dress Up Boutique

The star of Aggie's Paris Pretend Play birthday party were 3 pretend play stands that I worked with the amazing Jaime of That's My Letter to create.  Unlike the patisserie stand which was rather simple, the Dress Up Boutique was taken to a whole new level by Jaime's design.  Not only did it house and display dress up costumes and accessories but it had lots of charm with a scalloped awning and mullioned window.  I just loved it!

The cubbies displayed kid sized sunglasses, costume jewelry and other accessories that couldn't be hung while the rack had several of Aggie's favorite dress up costumes and capes for all the kids to enjoy.


Want to build your own?  That's My Letter has generously shared the plans to recreate one for your own fashionista!

DIY Play Patisserie Stand

After sharing some photos of Aggie's birthday party this week, I wanted to highlight the star of the show - the DIY pretend play stands.

The idea for them is what convinced me this party theme would be perfect for the three year old set.  The only problem was just how was I going to get all of this done?  Enter the amazing Jamie of That's My Letter who so kindly offered to help design and build them out of the kindness of her extremely big heart.  And the love doesn't stop there - she is kind enough to share her hard work with everyone who wants to DIY their own little patisserie (or supermarket, pet store, jewelry store, whatever) by sharing the build plans here.

She had no idea just how much I needed the help at that particular time so it was an especially wonderful treat.  Needless to say she did a much better job than I could have ever done in a million years.  Now on to the details.  Today's focus is on the Patisserie stand which was the more simple build but ended up being Aggie's favorite.




After Jaime had done the hard work of building them perfectly I got to work finding the perfect shade of minty green as an homage to ultimate french patisserie, Laduree.  The awning was painted in black and finished with gold letters.



Finally the finishing touches of the pretend sweets brought it home.   Almost everything was from HABA's Biofino line including the Bread Loaf, Crepe Set, Assorted Cookies,  Petit Fours,  Sweet Pastries, Sweet Muffins, and Apple Pie.  To say this whole thing was a hit would be a big understatement.  And even sweeter is ever since the party, Aggie has asked what I'd like from the bakery as she takes a few minutes to make me a little treat everyday.  I'm so happy with how it turned out, I hope you'll be inspired to make your own.

Stay tuned for more details on how the other two play stands came together later this week.

Pretend Paris Birthday Party

I like to think we did a nice shindig for Aggie's Baby, It's Cold Outside 1st birthday party but last year I was just not feeling so inspired and she really had no idea so we decided to skip it altogether. This year was very different - she is hip to all the birthday fanfare so I got to thinking on a theme.  We decided to go with a pretend play Paris themed party (Oui! Aggie is 3!) - not only because she has a love of the sparkly eiffel tower (she is positive every tower is THE eiffel tower -whatever!) but also because pretend play at this age is just about the cutest thing ever.

The centerpiece of the pretend play were three play stations - a patisserie, a dress up boutique and a make your own stuffed animal menagerie station.  I had plans to build them myself until the amazing That's My Letter offered to lend a hand.  I could hardly believe my luck!  (But more on that next week where I'll share lots more details on each).  The kids absolutely loved them.




Of course I had to stick with the theme for kids ands adults alike.  The menu included a crepe bar, french wine and lots of french desserts.






The birthday girl had a blast! We had almost 30 kids here and each seemed to find something to enjoy. (I will spare you a photo of the party underway or the aftermath as it looked like a toddler rave!)  But I think everyone had fun so it makes all the work totally worth it.

Stay tuned for more details on how to DIY those play stations next week.

Best of the Blog 2015 | DIY

I'm back!  Let's start the new year with a little look back at my favorite projects from last year. Click on any of the images for more details.

Kicking off in January we finally finished our shore kitchen renovation


Back at home, I crafted this wood slice doormat / bootmat that was a great addition during the endless snow of last winter.


February was all about crafting with two favorites.  I embellished these simple and inexpensive valentine's wooden spoons that always make me smile when I open the utensil drawer...

as well as a little personalized leather camera strap for my point and shoot.


I finally learned how to make Irish Soda Bread in March.


In May, we moved outside to build an outdoor magnetic chalkboard that was the hit of summer outdoor play...

along with this handy hanging succulent planter that turned out to be the perfect home to grow these baby plants into giant versions.


In June I was lucky enough to get to transform a wonderful couple's backyard with Lowes. I just love how it turned out.


In July, I finally got around to hanging string lights in the backyard (a task that was on my to-do list for years!)


In August, we got started on Aggie's big girl room. Still a work in progress but the black ceiling was a big win.


In September, I made a handpainted caffeine shrine to my much loved morning coffee.


In October, I tackled some simple toy storage in a DIY rolling crate.


And finally in November and December, I tackled some fun holiday projects with a wooden wreath, a rustic antler advent calendar, and a handpainted mountain lodge sign.

Hope you enjoyed the recap.  This is one of my favorite posts to share as it reminds me not to focus on the to-do list I never got around to but instead celebrate what was accomplished in the year.  Of course the sum is greater than its parts - the year was a lot more than DIY projects but I can feel good about getting a few things done each year.

Want more?  Check out 2014's Best DIY of the Blog.