One Of My Favorite Things

I love, love, love local coffee shops.  Especially coffee shops that get it right.  A good environment, a good representation of the community, and most importantly, great coffee.  Metronome Coffee is a fairly new addition to Tacoma's popular 6th Ave. District.  A community of hipsters, college students, artists, musicians and urbanites.  This is the population that Andy and I love (We don't know why...we are none of those things) When we were looking for a place to move after our travels we felt called to this area of Tacoma. 

This particular morning, Andy and I ran into quite a few people we know...which was awesome.  It takes awhile to start to feel part of a new place and meet new friends-- after about 8 months of living here, we are truly starting to feel like this is home. 

That's Andy...under the moose head.

Did you move to a new city after you got married? Does it feel like "home"  or only temporary?

Because It's Still Cold Here

I've been making use of my crock pot lately, which might seem strange seeing how it's almost June.  Sunny days are still few and far between in the Pacific Northwest.  In fact, it's pouring down rain and I have my heat on as I type this.  Growing up, a crock pot was not part of my mothers kitchen repertoire...so I didn't really know how to use one.  We were given one for Christmas and I only recently pulled it out--and I'm so glad I did!  I had no idea how many things you could cook in one of those things!  My most recent creation was white chili with cornbread.  I would share the recipe but it definitely needed some tweaking...so until next time, enjoy the photos and have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Do you cook with a crock pot?  Do you have a favorite crock pot recipe?

Waiting...

Our inspection got pushed back another week.  Apparently something with the paperwork.  AGHHH.  I'm dying to know whether or not we are actually gonna buy this house!  In my mind it's already ours.  We're moving out, not dealing with our sex crazed upstairs neighbors, getting a dog, and in DIY heaven.  I can picture us tiling, measuring, hammering, painting and all the other stuff that comes with buying a fixer-upper.  I will be totally bummed if it doesn't work out.  So...the update will come soon enough.  In the mean time I need to keep myself busy and preoccupied....I guess I'll keep looking through design blogs and just hope...Have you seen this house?  I'm in love. 

Look At That Face

My father in law asked if I was more excited about the prospect of moving into a new home or if it was the fact that once we move I can get a dog!!!  Honestly, I don't know which I'm more excited about.  I can't wait to get one of these little guys!

Kitchen Inspiration

Andy and I can't help but talk about our future home.  We set the appointment with the inspector this Friday...so we'll have a much better idea of whether or not we're going to take the plunge by the end of the week. The house is in need of much love and creativity, and even though it's not a sure thing, I'm scouring through design blogs for inspiration--starting with the kitchen.  We will have a modest remodeling budget, so we plan on doing most of it ourselves.  After looking through hundreds of images of kitchens, I've discovered I definitely have a specific color palate and concepts in mind.  Unfortunately, it seems that most of the kitchens I adore don't have cabinets.  Apparently a trend in kitchen design is open shelving--and honestly, I'm just not organized enough, nor have the desire to dust every week to incorporate this trend.  Perhaps maybe one or too...but I know I'll need to hide my mismatched kitchenware that I've acquired through Goodwill and thrift shops!

Here are some samples of kitchens I love:

Via House Obsession

Via John Merkl

Via Pieter Estersohn for Martha Stewart

I really love white, or natural colored kitchens...they just look so clean and crisp.

 What do you all think about shelving vs. cabinets?

Wanting Out

Eight months ago when Andy and I first moved into our little apartment, it seemed to be just perfect.  We didn't own a single thing besides our clothes and other random things that fit into a backpack.  A small place is perfect when you don't own anything.  We realized quickly just how small it was when only one of us could be in the kitchen or the bathroom at the same time...and when we started to accumulate things.  This apartment is cute, but completely unfunctional.  There is absolutely ZERO storage, so Andy built storage in the kitchen and bedroom so we wouldn't have to leave our coffee pot sitting on the stove or our linens out and folded in the corner of our bedroom.  Unfortunately there is just no place to store something like this. 

Andy's scuba diving gear.

So it just sits in our living room because there is just no where else to put it.  Andy and I don't have a lot of "stuff;"  we lead pretty simple lives...but this apartment would be better suited for a single bachelor.  

There are a ton of reasons why we can't wait to leave this apartment and move into a home...but this last reason would drive anyone out of their right mind.  For 7 1/2 months we've been fortunate with no one living in the apartment above us.   We live in a 100 year old building with real hard wood floors and almost no insulation.  The new neighbors have moved in and when they walk from their bedroom to the bathroom it sounds like a heard of elephants.  Their bedroom is directly above ours and and when they have sex (and they do--every single night...twice a night for at least 45 minutes!...I'm not exaggerating...I promise) we hear everything.  Headboard banging, bed shaking, and operatic screaming.  Andy and I didn't sleep for a week.  I finally bought ear plugs and Andy actually had to go say something.  The screams are now muffled but with hard wood floors we're just out of luck. So needless to say we cannot wait to give our 30 day notice and get the heck out of dodge.  

Have you had or do you have noisy neighbors.  Have you done anything about it?

Seeking Inspiration

I can't help it; I'm scouring the internet for home remodel and decor ideas.  It's so interesting how easily our interests can change.  I never had the desire to read about or DIY home projects until now...and now I'm super excited about it and can't stop researching it!  I've found a few great blog for inspiration:

• Rambling Renovators
• Decorology
• House Obsession
• Remodelista

Do you know of any other great blogs for home inspiration?  Please share the link!

Home Sweet Home...Hopefully

I wanted to share the news earlier...but for those of you on blogger, you are aware that blogger was wonky yesterday.  

Anywho...it may have been a bit impulsive...Andy and I spent 10 minutes looking at a property and immediately put a bid on it.  It was a foreclosed home and they had just lowered the price--and because the last three properties we were considering got snatched away, we figured we had to take action asap.  While we were looking at it there was another couple there too--with a measuring tape...they looked serious.  I didn't want one more home to slip through our hands. 

Yesterday we found out our bid was accepted!  Hooray!  Assuming nothing too major is revealed during the inspection, Andy and I will be moving in late summer.  Its a 100 year old home with lots of character, and lots to work on--like the magenta carpet.  (Seriously...who gets magenta carpet??).  Our plan is to rent out half of it (there are 2 kitchens and it's set up like a duplex). Andy is stoked to finally be able to have a "project."  So keep your fingers crossed that the inspection goes well!  Here she is.

Big Stuff and the Winner!

Sooooooo...I know I've been a little MIA lately, there is so much going on I don't know where to start. How about the biggest news?  We put an offer on a house tonight!  We should find out tomorrow morning if it's ours!  I'll definitely keep you posted!

Oh...and the winner of the Delicious Giveaway.... number 3, Kyah!

Delicious Giveaway

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of FRESCHETTA® for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I had the opportunity to try a FRECHETTA Simply...Inspired Pizza last night--and I must be honest,  I was not expecting to love it.  I have to admit, I'm kind of a food snob, so frozen pizza isn't really my thing.  To my surprise, I thought it was fantastic!  If someone had served me up a slice of this pizza at a fancy restaurant, I never would have believed it was frozen.  You can choose from 8 different varieties--I chose the thin crust Harvest Supreme pizza which had black olives, sun dried tomatoes, spinach, red onions, Italian sausage, mozzarella and feta cheese.  It was really good and tasted gourmet.

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My husband clearly was a fan!

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Space

I'm currently in D.C. for work...traveling for work has lost all of its appeal.  I miss Andy...I miss going to bed with him and waking up with him.  It's only 4 days but I'll never get used to sleeping alone again. In addition there is a lot of "life" stuff and decisions that need to be made and I hate not being there with him to discuss things in person. 

What I find humorous is that both Andy and I were the type who needed "space" prior to dating each other. We made sure when we first starting dating to set that expectation...clearly the people we dated prior to each other were people we needed space from because we can't stand to be away from each other now. 

Don't get me wrong, I love my girl time; but I also love knowing at the end of the night I'll be in my husbands arms. 

Are you and your spouse around each other most of the day?  Do you need your space or would you prefer to be with your spouse most of the time?