Fleeting Summer

I cannot believe July is already over. I feel like we had so many plans and things to do this summer and haven't accomplished or been able to do hardly any of them. Granted, moving into our first house together was huge, and takes us most of our everything (time, money, patience, etc.) but I was really hoping to do some summer-y things. Like barbeque, tan, go for jogs at the state park, go out on the boat at the lake, even just sit outside on our deck or porches and just be after a long day at work.
But. While we may not have gotten a chance to do all of those things, we have tons to look forward to- my family is finally coming to visit this weekend and we both were able to take the day off. My best friend, who I haven't seen in 3 years (whoa. that's a long time.) is coming to visit in September and bought her plane tickets today! Ever since we moved out of my apartment, I've been talking about a dog and everyone keeps telling me to get one in the winter, when I'll have more time for it. So I have that to look forward to. :)
And you guessed it- all of my "projects". I really should make a list and decide which ones I want to tackle first...
Anyway- needless to say, I may feel like I completely missed the summer, but all of the amazingly wonderful things on their way totally make up for it. So

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"Crafting"

So I follow quite a few blogs that are constantly reminding me how little time I truly have/set aside for crafting- or "diy projects". (Crafting sounds a little dated, and too old for me. I have "projects", and they're not all crafty, really- many of them involve sewing and sawing and nailing, etc.) That being said, I haven't even made time to fix my sewing machine. I'm tired of showing my inspirations and ready to start showing some creations.
Today, my time was spent putting together a tv stand that I only had to take apart and try again three times. (My dad advised me to wait until my boyfriend got home to actually put the tv on it. Ha.) After I got done, I had such a sense of accomplishment, that I spent the rest of the afternoon catching up on my shows and eating ice cream. It's too hot to do much of anything else. And I have to wait for my boyfriend to get home so I can get ready and then make my guacamole (!) for a friend's b-day bbq tonight.
While I might complain about the time I don't have for certain things, I am definitely thankful for the things that are currently occupying that time. I can't wait to show you guys what I'll be working on. And in the meantime, don't forget about my mama's amazing pillows!
Hope you're having an equally fabulous week (and a little more productive one).

Air mattress

So our bedroom currently consists of a dresser (from Goodwill for $15 that we stained together last summer), our old mattress, underneath an air mattress, and one nightstand. And all of our clothes. Needless to say, it has not come together. I think it is/needs to be our next project to tackle. We really need a nice, relaxing, comfortable place to crash at the end of the day. While the living room is where we wind down, I really miss sitting up in bed reading a book before bed. I'm leaning towards a softer, but darker tan for the walls and going with a neutral color scheme of black and whites. Here are my inspirations so far.

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Love the curtains and with our bedroom being as large as our living room, a small sitting area is do-able.

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I would love to upholster a bench for the end of the bed.

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Want the bed, side table, curtains and I love the deepness of the wall color.

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These are the neutrals in darker shades I'm looking for. Nice and bright during the day, nice and warm at night.

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I would love to make a simple headboard like this. I think a foot board would really cut up the room, which I hate to do. I want to utilize the space and these curtains are a great example of how to draw the eye up and make a room seem larger.

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These woods-in the dresser, armoire and chairs are exactly what I want. Love the canopy bed too. I have SO much to do! But I'm so ready to upgrade our air mattress to a real, grown-up bedroom. Can't wait!

Hudson- pillows

I attribute my taste in interior design, among other things, entirely to my parents. They continue to inspire me on a daily basis. The fact that they moved back to PA to start their own business is nothing short of amazing, but I would expect nothing less from them. And the fact that they have allowed my brother and I to be a part of their journey in this undertaking is an honor and something I am very excited about.
That being said, I'd like to introduce you to Hudson.
We are starting out selling handmade pillows that my mother has put her heart and soul, and creativity into. My brother and I were lucky enough to get the first "samples" and out of all the pillows we have, I tend to throw the others on the floor and only use my moms. Not just for sentimental reasons either- they are really, really comfortable. She's made all of our pillows for as long as I can remember (this is where I get it from) and they keep getting better and better.
These particular pillows are classic and long-lasting (they made it through my first college apartment and into mine and my boyfriends first home). They are 20"x20" pillows made of burlap, ticking, cotton and down (which makes them the most comfortable pillows ever). We are asking $60 a pillow, plus shipping. There are currently only two left, but we are in the process of making more. Please contact me if y'all are interested or have any questions/requests, etc.
Thank you so much!

 

Photos courtesy of my dad. (he's pretty good, right?)

I'm back!

So we didn't end up getting internet (or cable) until yesterday. Besides missing way too much of my Real Housewives and the return of my favorite Teen Mom group, I missed my blog! Turns out, it's become a therapeutic outlet for me while my creativity and endless interior design ideas are being stifled by lack of time and teeny budget.

I'm off today and the boyfriend left for work over 2 hours ago.
Things I've accomplished:

• ate 2 tuna fish sandwiches then broke into my new Blitzberg ice cream (delish by the way, and it included a chance to win Steelers tickets. What more could a girl ask for?!)
• caught up on NY and NJ Housewives-I'm getting bored with NY, still infatuated with NJ and can't wait for Beverly Hills to return
• walked over, around, and inevitably through the piles of dirt brought in by boyfriend and his dad insulating the attic this morning, therefore tracking it through the whole house.

What I plan to accomplish this afternoon/evening:

• clean the floors (all of them) including the steps by vacuuming then Swiffering- which I love because I got the kind with lavender scented Febreeze. Heaven.
• dust the furniture (all 4 pieces of it) and the blinds
• hang something up. Whether it's a mirror in the entryway, a clock in the bathroom, a picture in the bedroom, it's time to get something on these walls.
• cook dinner for the boyfriend so that it's ready when he gets home from work. I've done this for a week or so now and have to say, I love it. I was totally made to be a housewife. ;)

I know I've promised pictures of the house- trust me, you can wait. There's really nothing to see at the moment. It's not a mess, just nothing to look at yet. There's still much to be done! I've always believed that a house is never really finished, but there is a line to cross when you can invite people into your homes, and we haven't even painted that line yet. Let alone the walls.
Better get to work.
Hope y'all are having an amazing week. So glad to be back. :)