Searching for something new underfoot

Cory and I have decided that it's time to get rid of the shag area rug in our dining room.  It is was an off-white and now is looking a color a little "skankier".

I mean, yes she did think the soft rug was akin to grass and took to it more than once while potty training (don't look at me weird, we cleaned it people!)  but it was also her favorite place to hide when she was little (and muddy) and still fit under there.  But I guess we just should have been more diligent with it to begin with.  I don't know how much cola it's absorbed, not to mention countless other snacks.

Anyhow, we're gonna start looking when we come back for something to replace it with.  I, however want to replace it with a doppleganger.

Look how nice and pretty it is brand new! It's actually got some shimmery threads in it!

I found this slightly more traditional rug that I am kind of fond of.  It has a nice, fun design in my favorite colors.  But I like that it isn't too "in your face" since the color is gradual.  But I would have to see it in person to get a real feel for it.

This is the other option from Rona that caught my eye.  I love all the colors and the pattern.  But I am worried it might be a little too modern.  However, it does come in smaller sizes so it will definitely be an option as a front door mat!

Do you like any of these I have selected? Think something else would be a better fit?

I am trying to keep it very cost-effective.  As with three animals, it will get quite dirty!

A week to go... and held up on the couch!

It's a week til we leave for Mexico and I've just gotten home from work.  They sent me home as I am still contagious with a viral throat infection!  Yeah, fun for me.  I got sick on Sunday.  It was so sick, I actually told Cory I needed to leave West Edmonton Mall.  If that's not an indicator that I'm not feeling well, I don't know what is!

Don't get me wrong of course, I made sure we got what we were really there for.  These gorgeous "Kit" Sunglasses available here as part of a belated Christmas present from Cory.  Actually, he didn't like the style I originally had in mind so he wouldn't get me them... but then I found these ones I liked better!

Since then though, I have been running a raging fever, battling a migraine and have the worst sore throat ever.  Not symptoms I deem condusive to fun travelling!  So for the mean time, I am "working from home" and of course watching tons of Keeping up with the Kardashians and Holly's World episodes!  haha!

With good, comes bad!

January is flying by, I haven't had a moment to rest. Right from the get-go, we knew that this month was gonna be jam packed. Our weekends have been completely filled with birthday celebrations and housewarmings and bridal showers and pre-wedding/vacation mixers. Yikes! I haven't a free weekend left. If this month is any indication of how the rest of the year will be, I better hold on tight!

Not to mention that in 13 days, we leave on a little vacation! That's right, we're headed to Mexico for a wedding, and since we've known about it for over a year, the anticipation has been built up BIG TIME!

In between all the stuff we've had going on, I have been trying to squeeze in appointments and of course, shopping! Do you know how hard it has been trying to find dresses for the beach in January?

So my apologies for my absence. I'm up to my eyeballs in things right now. But know there's a bit of madness that's home related as well:

- we BOTH cleaned out our closets and dressers on Sunday. Holy smokes! Where did all that stuff come from...? We have a TON of clothes we are getting rid of. A big pile of it is garbage, some of it Is fit for donation, but there's a huge portion that would be good for sale! I've been (Slowly) taking photos and writing descriptions and posting the pieces online. Cory had way more stuff than me. Good stuff, brand new. Some worn once or twice, designer, expensive stuff!

I also started cleaning out the garage last night. Yes that's right, we do not park in our garage currently. Mind you, we have only a single garage. But it was full to the gills with CRAP. I started the process of trying to re-organize and move what I could into the basement until spring when we can actually tackle projects and really clean and organize in there. Why now?

Well, we have gotten a ridiculous amount of snow the last few weeks and since we are unable to park on the street (due to a car being fully, completely buried there) we are doubling up on the driveway... But my mom is coming to stay at the house with the animals while we are away, and there would be no place for her. So I am going to move into the garage. Which I prefer, so I don't need to brush off or scrape my car windows when I am running late (which is always).

On that note: I received some rather upsetting news last night. My mom advised me that while they are still in the process of tests, her doctor believes that she may have colon cancer.

My fingers are crossed that it's not, so we just have to wait and see. But needless to say, it has put a damper on things. She says she is still functioning as she was before, so she is still expecting to come and stay at our place while we are away. Which I actually prefer, as she lives out of the city and at least if she is here, my brother and dad are nearby.

So please bear with me these next few weeks as I scramble through life, awaiting news, all the while organizing a trip that has been almost 2 years in the making. My family is sticking together and being optimistic about the outcpome. Hopefully, the power of positive thinking will be on our side.

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Right on Target!

Big news! I actually let out two loud "whoo hoos" at work when I heard, but apparently the company who owns Target has purchased Zellers here in Canada.

They apparently will eventually converting the stores into Targets by 2013.

As excited as I am to finally get a Target here (fantastic home stuff for great prices), it's a little heart-breaking to hear that they are getting rid of the Zellers brands...

I remember going with my grandparents and parents there for lunch when I was a little girl. I also still shop there quite frequently!

But all in all, I can't wait to stock up on cute home items like all my fellow American blogging friends!

Yay!
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Things I Want: 2011

While cleaning out/reviewing my "Things I Want" folder on my desktop tonight, I came across these gorgeous shoes that I saved a while back:

These gorgeous black pumps are actually quite simple but those bows are just PERFECT!!  They look like these vintage afterthoughts some eccentric chick threw on as she flew out the door.  LOVE!!
Come to think of it, I am actually due for some new pumps for work anyhow, as I will be retiring 3 pairs this month!

I've never actually shopped at H&M and I am not sure why....

We leave for our trip in less than a month and I will definitely be stopping in to try and snag some pieces for our vacation!

Trash to Treasure : Christmas Addition

When I first started turning trash secondhand finds into treasures, I'm sure Cory was a little skeptical.  But after seeing some of the cute stuff I have scored and transformed, I guess he's become a convert:

Back at the beginning of December, he took the dog for an evening walk and came back with a surprise.  Apparently our neighbours had gotten married the weekend prior and weren't all that enthused with all of their wedding gifts!! 

Luckily for us, his inquisitive nature prompted him to open a python box and find some cute little Christmasy hand towels inside:

Two of these little robin applique hand towels were inside!  I think they are the perfect little addition the the new towel holder in our powder room.

In regards to the box, while the python top is kinda cool, the orangey pleather fabric on the bottom of the box isn't really my thing, so I will be searching for something different and will share it when I am finished.

What's the latest second hand score you've snagged?

Refreshed and Renewed...

Well, as I anticipated, the Christmas blues have subsided and I am eager to get back to blogging and working on projects for the home.  I've been making important decisions and getting this in order and I am starting to feel like my old self again.

First off, I never got to sharing any of my Christmas decor photos.  Admittedly, I didn't even intentionally take any....  In all honesty, I didn't really do anything different than last year, so I ddin't even think of it, until everything had been dismanteled and returned to the boxes in the garage.... whoops.  Oh well, I kinda lost steam with it all this year anyhow, so it wasn't much to begin with. 

But in regards to Christmas gifts, my big gift this year was something home-related! Plus, I have a few other home-related projects in the works for once.

Here's a quick peek at a few of the items I have in-store for 2011!!

1.  I snagged a new dining room light fixture that I CAN NOT WAIT to have installed!! 

 I have been eyeing up and talking about this baby for quite some time now.  I'm not actually sure if it will actually look like I've been envisioning but I am keeping my fingers crossed and Cory said he'd attempt to hang it next weekend, provided he is not working.

2. If I can swing it, I will be tracking down all new furniture for the main floor.  Definitely new dining chairs, possibly a new table (or a re-finish to our current one).  New sofa and loveseat (or chairs), possibly some new tables(?) and new accessories (most likely just lamps).

3. I'm going to be tracking down the 2 remaining matching wood blinds for our bedoom and some sort of window dressing for our basement garden doors.  I'll also be adding some color, pattern and texture to most of the rooms in the house by adding some drapes to most, if not all, the rooms.

4. New bedding for our master bedroom!! 

5. An update to the guest bedroom including refinishing the furniture, new bedding and accessories.

6. A re-configuration and completely redo of our office.  We no longer have a desktop computer and are still debating whether or not we really need a full office set up.

7. We are PURGING big-time.  After helping to set up a brand-new showhome this week, and helping our friends move the other day, I have a new found craving for living with less!!  De-cluttering and selling, donating and chucking out stuff we don't need/use/fit, etc. will be super cathartic.... I hope!

8.  I have been told to get moving on finally finishing our upholstered headboard, so once I decide on perfect linens,  I will make a decision on fabric and get to work!

9. We are going to break our fear and just go ahead and finish wallpapering the powder room.

10.  Landscaping will commence in our backyard this year AND we will improve on the work that was started last year....

I am excited to get going on all these new projects and TONS MORE, so hopefully you will join me on this hourney!! 

A prosperous and exicitng 2011 to you all!!