my little love muffins...

every morning these two get back into (my) bed and watch me prepare for work...how can you not love faces like these?...

house progress...

we're making progress on the house, 2 weeks until move in. you should see my 'to do wish list', it keeps growing like a week. i think i need a second job to support my house remodel habit.

the kitchen backsplash was completed over the weekend. the cabinets & walls still need to be painted white, but that's going to happen towards the end of this week. here are the before & afters of the backsplash goodness...

before...

after...


my awesome boss helped me build & install the bookshelves for the rear bedroom. this week they'll be completed, painted & the room will be painted too... goodbye mint-chocolate-chip & poop colors...


the other rooms in the house are all primed and ready to be painted...


huge shout out to my co-workers, demo guy, electricians, tile installer and painters...and my friends & family for their input. the house updates are moving along at lightening speed, i couldn't be happier or more thankful for everyone's help!

their sons keeper...

if you don't want to cry, then don't read this article...it will literally make your heart melt. but if you want to read a story about an incredible family who gave a dog a second chance at life and in turn have a loyal companion to watch over their terminally ill child, then dive in...


...it's stories like this that make me proud to be a part of the animal rescue league, and would urge everyone who is ever thinking about getting a family pet to visit their local shelter first before they shell out tons of money...because some times the best things in life ARE free.

and i thought i had problems...

whose child is this? seriously, holy-freakin'-cow...

currently reading...

looking forward to starting our february book group book, the kitchen daughter by jael mchenry....

"it's about a woman who discovers she can invoke ghosts by cooking from dead people's recipes. julie & julia meets jodi picoult in this poignant and delectable novel with recipes, chronicling one woman’s journey of self-discovery at the stove."

quotable...

this is sort of how i feel today...no, i lied, this is exactly how i feel today...

just call me buddy back dupree...

what's your blues name?...

from your neck to your walls...

this is all over pinterest right now and i'm obsessed with it. when my mom was moving from tennessee recently we were going through her scarf draw and she was showing me all her hermes scarfs (which of course i asked if i could have and she flat out said no)...but if i ever did get my little hands on them i would totally frame them and display them like this, they are too gorgeous to just be sitting in a dark drawer all by their lonesome...

via rebecca ray design

quotable...

via pretty stuff

write it down...

if you're like me you always have something in your purse to write in...i usually have about 5 things, you should feel how heavy my purse is. came across these moleskin notebooks from imoleskin, i want this one...


...or maybe this one...

small action, big impact...

a friend just sent me this story about a small action that made a big impact...

The idea started with Jim Black, a resident of Chagrin Falls, a close-knit village in Cleveland's eastern suburbs that is part artist colony and part bedroom community. Black posted the email to a group of his friends. "Let's show our support for one of our local businesses," he wrote. "I challenge everyone to spend AT LEAST $20 at the hardware on the 21st."

It was just a way to thank Chagrin Hardware's owners for a beloved shop that has been a fixture in the village since 1857.

"These are good people who needed our support," Black said. "It's just that simple."

Black's note was forwarded and forwarded and forwarded again. Calls started coming in from folks out of state who wanted to make a purchase over the phone.

kind of makes your heart melt right? i like this idea, a lot, i would challenge everyone who lives in a small town to maybe try and do the same sometime...pay it forward!

beans, beans, they're good for your heart...

making this soup this weekend courtesy of left on amelia...


roasted black bean soup

ingredients:
1 package of bacon, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2 red bell peppers, chopped
8-10 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp chili powder
5 cans black beans
2 fire roasted tomatoes
15 ounces chicken broth
salt & pepper to taste

directions:

1. In a large stock pot, saute the bacon first to get a nice greasy base
2. add the chopped veggies and seasonings
3. add all the beans, tomatoes, and broth and then let it simmer for a while
4. scoop it into the blender and blend it down, serve with toppings of choice.

mobiles...

despite being no where near having children, i have babies on the brain...especially nursery decor, like these adorable crib mobiles from etsy vendors...

crib mobile by baby jives...


crib mobiles by love felt creations...


crib mobiles by golly gee george...

g-g-g-men...

my sister & brisby rockin' giants gear last night

that's right kids, my boys are headed to the superbowl for the rematch of a lifetime against the patriots in 2 weeks. g-g-g-men!!!! i heart you eli!

seriously, did you watch the game last night against the 49ers? my heart was racing a mile a minute. i got a lot of 'hate texts' last night too, being a new yorker in boston ain't always easy!...

feeling like chips & salsa...

yummm, i want to make these cumin chipolte lime tortilla chips immediately from good life eats...


paired with my friend jeff's (of jeff's recipe box) salsa picante recipe...

i'd rather be in paris...

...yes, even in the winter i long to be in paris...


...because, as my friend megan was so kind to send me, there's never a wrong time...

knock, knock...

i want one...

via happy ending decor

angie's look...

i'm not the biggest fan of angelina jolie, but i was definitely a fan of her golden globes outfit last night...bravo angie...oh, and i like your arm candy too...

valentines schmalentines...

yes people, valentine's day is coming up in less than a month. even though i do like valentine's day, i think sometimes there's a little bit too much hype & seriousness surrounding it. i'd much prefer something a little more light hearted,as long as you put a little bit of effort & thought into it, it can go a long way...

via kraze4paper

via warm presents

via dippy lulu

via the off beat bear

via xenotees

via mugsleys

via flytrap

via art for a home

mlk day...

“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”
-Martin Luther King, Jr. Jan. 15, 1928- April 4, 1968

dear genevieve...

dear genevieve, can you please tell me all your secret spots for vintage finds you use on your projects? pretty please.

ps, i love what you did to christina's small nyc apartment living room...

quotable...

image courtesy of make under my life

keeping him in mind...

thinking of my fur-nephew...sweet baby boy...

keep calm...

i think my mother needs to get my sister and i each one of these...cause we usually call her when we're freaking out most of the time...