really, really finished: front door

fireplace: before and after

When we moved in, the fireplace was pretty plain, with just some thick picture frame molding around it.  No real presence.

Ta da! We removed the molding and put up a new surround and added a mantle. 

The space between the couch and the fireplace is only 3' so we needed to keep the mantle pretty shallow.

I'm very happy with the way this turned out. Now to style it...

currently

...reading: Fifth Avenue, 5 AM: and I am thoroughly enjoying it. It's just gossipy enough without being smarmy. I'm also reading The Happiness Project. I've only just started, but I'll get back to you on that. I finally finished Gone Girl, and I have mixed feelings on it. Yes, the characters are horrible people but I believe they get their just reward in the end.

...listening to: I can't get enough Joshua Radin, Good Old War, fun., Weepies or Lumineers into my ear holes.

...watching: I'm working my way through Bones via streaming Netflix. It's fluffy and fun and I don't have to pay 100% attention to it while I'm doing other things, but it's nice to have on in the background.

...eating: my body weight in Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins. They just taste better. I don't know why.

...working on: the fireplace, the front door trim, getting Joey used to hanging out in the backyard on his own and maybe a crochet project.

...wishing: for a teleportation device between Minneapolis and Alexandria. That way Leah (my sister) and I could just clap!clap! and hang on the couch for some Big Coke/Grey's Anatomy time.

shut the front door

One of the first things we KNEW we were going to change about the house was the front door. It was too traditional for our tastes, and I wasn't a fan of all that glass right in the middle of the door. So what'd we do?

New door! It looks so much better than the other door and gives us a little  more privacy, too. Now if I could only settle on a color...

 

I prefer fall decorations to Halloween stuff. I picked up three faux pumpkins at Michael's for under $18, and with some metallic spray paint (brushed nickle, aged copper and antique bronze) whipped these babies up.

I think I may need to add one more in a larger size. Maybe?