I. Love J. Crew (Is anyone surprised??)

J. Crew's Fall line is amazing. I love the bright colors and the crisp lines. Accessories are clean, classic, and damn if you can't mix and match every single piece to make a new and equally as stunning ensemble. Love. Love. Love.

Glossy.

One of my very favorite bloggers is Erin Gates of Elements of Style. She is a fabulous curator of all things interior-design-eye-candy-goodness. She and a few fellow design mavens have put together an online magazine that makes my heart soar. It's called High Gloss. Check it out.

Total Closet Domination.

I've always had an issue with keeping my closet clean. I think it has to do with the fact that ever since I can remember every morning, I try on multiple outfits before deciding which to wear one. Anyway... In a recent conversation with my bestie, HB, she mentioned the fact that when we were in high school she'd come over only to find mounds of clothing and shoes piled chest high in my closet. [I mean it. I have a real problem.] This was just the motivation I needed to finally take on my closet. Here is what I was up against...
1) It's tiny. These people LIVED 30 for 365! (if you know what I'm talking about... I love you.)
2) I have way too many clothes. TONS of stuff I don't wear. It's a crime.
3) I suck at putting things away. (There are constantly clothes thrown about.)

So, this past weekend... between amazing breakfast at Oddfellows and being on field for the halftime show at the Super Bowl... (such a(n event) name dropper...) I gave my closet the one-two punch right between the eyes.

I have this thing where I want everything to have a place, but if I can't see everything then I forget I have it. I've purchased so many of those clear shoe boxes, but I hat using them. They end up hiding those cute, multi-colored strappy pumps that I HAD to have.

The first order of business was to get everything out where I could see it. Then, I installed a couple shelves (Scott cut them for me), and I organized my jewelry (which is usually in a heap on the night stand).

S said that the closet looks like a little shop. I took that as a major compliment. I'm so excited to have a clean closet. I asked Bomb if she wanted to sleep in there with me. She was in, but S said he'd get lonely without his girls so... we'll shop there instead.

If it wasn't posted, it didn't happen.

In keeping with the theme of my previous post, I've noticed that people seem to think that since my online presence sort of paused in time... that my actual life paused in time. For example, people keep asking "how is the house coming?" which I find to be extremely thoughtful (I'm always amazed at how thoughtful people can be. I wish I were more that way). Here's the thing with our house. It's been "finished" for like... 9 months; however, since I didn't post "finished" pictures...it didn't happen.

So, I'd love to have some nice "finished" pictures taken. Maybe one of the amazing photographers I know could help me out with that... huh? Whatdoyasay??

Don't call it a come back!

Twitter sent me an email saying, "I miss you."
My last post on here is from October. (Not that I assume anyone noticed.)
My profile picture shows me to be a blonde. (I'm not anymore.)

In an effort to yank back my life from my job and to ensure more balance in my life, I've rededicated myself to this blog... or rather... dedicated myself for the very first time.

More to come.
KP

New Specs!

Thoughts?

Don't mind my one tooth that's whiter than all the others...

Storytelling

Danny & Annie from StoryCorps on Vimeo.

It is often my job to tell stories. Stories of want, stories of need, stories of love and of hate. I'm always on the look out for really unique Storytelling techniques. This one is both touching and unexpected. Enjoy.

He is Risen and we are home

In other news, S and I have been on the hunt for a new church home. We've attended a few without the special you're home feeling like the one we've always had for Christ United Methodist Church in Plano. (To be fair, we've spent our entire lives at CUMC, so it's to be expected that it will take a while to find one that can even compare.)

Our list of qualifications is this:
1. Must have a decent sized 20-something congregation.
2. Must have programs in place for our age group.
3. Must challenge us spiritually, while making us feel at home.
That's pretty much it...

This past Sunday, we attended Highland Park United Methodist for the first time. It might not be fair to judge the other churches (ha) based on their any given Sunday service when we attended the Easter service at HPUMC, but we loved it. Decent sized 20 something congregation-check. Programs in place for our age group-check. Challenged us spiritually-if Rev. Craig's service this past Sunday is any indication-check and check.

Although, I have to say, that I entered into the service on Sunday already challenging myself. The story of the resurrection has always been a reassuring, yet challenging one for me. Among other things, Rev. Craig talked about the importance of reflection and action–a perfect message for us. If that wasn't enough, part of their offering goes to Central Dallas Ministries, an amazing organization (that I love) doing incredible things for our struggling neighbors here in Dallas.

We're excited to learn more about HPUMC, meet some new people, and get plugged in.

We're getting closer and Hoppy Easter!

This is fairly long overdue, but here are a few pictures of the progress on the house taken during this past weekend. (In case you need reminding of what this place looked like before we bought it..., and here, and here) We had S's family to our house this year. It was a lot of fun, and thank you again for all the wedding presents... I think we used them ALL. And, ... we got to break out the Piland Silver, only used for the most special occasions–and that it was!


The place is definitely not finished, which is why I haven't posted pictures. We're busy picking out fabric for the living room furniture (a sofas and two large, armless chairs), trying to find something awe inspiring to go above the sofa on the wall, looking for the perfect dining room rug, and searching for the right table to go in the corner to elevate the perfect lamp... Of course, we've found all said pieces; however, they are pricey, pricey. So, for now we visit our champagne items, laugh about our beer budget, and deal with the bare walls.

Guest bedroom

Office/Bomber's Diggs

Hallway

Master Bathroom (shower and toilet)

Master Bathroom (drawers still need painting)

View from the Master Bedroom
(No master bedroom shots, that's a little too revealing.)


Laura cooking in the kitchen, Bomber hoping she drops something

Living room, various lovely family members,
temporary furniture brought in for said family members

Dining room
(and tops of temporary chairs)

Oh, I love this. Saturday night before retiring, I was working in the garage when I heard S yell for me. He was in the front yard mowing the lawn. Which is funny because we don't have a lawn mower. He had found a REALLY old push lawn mower left by the previous owner and was going to town on our sad excuse for front yard. This is home ownership people... Saturday night at 10:30...

Gettin' after it.

S says it looks like the goats ate the grass. I love him.

Transformers!

No, I'm not pregnant. But, I sort of want one of these (the bike/stroller, not the baby). When I see things like this, it makes me even more excited to become a parent one day. I think there is a fear that exists (among women, at least) that as soon as you have a baby you will be confined to the house, only to leave for doctor's appointments and the occasional lame play date. I'm a fan of all these slings, baby backpacks, strollers con bike seats, etc. Bring those babies out!! Let's see 'em!

Knitta Please!

I really could not love this more. This article is about a year old, but give a good snapshot of what Knitta Please is all about. I love the random acts. It reminds me of the group in Austin who would decorate trees by the highway for Christmas during the night. Just spreading some joy.

Embrace Life.

Find more videos like this on AdGabber

This is so incredibly compelling. Anyone else think so?

Urban Acres is the place for me

As I said to Scott, Swoooon in the Cliff.

The Ride-An idea is born

Surfin' NYC

This young man is seeking the help of his fellow New Yorkers to carry him (physically) the entire length of Manhattan. Mark Malkoff will attempt to crowd surf the city and has put out a request for folks to volunteer to help. The potential for wondering hands makes me REALLY nervous about this. Best of luck and God's speed, Mark.

Trim and Windows and Tile, Oh My!

I thought I'd try something a little different. A full blown tour of the house and its progress. They have trimmed out a significant portion of the house, put in the majority of the windows and started the tile. It's all very exciting! The video's a little long, so I won't blame you if you get tired of it, but there is a nice shot of Scott, him mom, and sister at the end. This was filmed on Thanksgiving Day. How fitting!

Sheetrockin' and rollin'

Progress has been made!! We had the whole house sprayed with foam insulation, wood floor was laid in the rest of the house, it's been sheetrocked, and now the texture has been put on the walls. (Not to mention all of the electrical and HVAC, since I last posted.) We're rollin' right along. Hooray!

Foamy homey.

Our house is coming right along! My brother-in-law, Chad worked his foam insulation magic on our old, drafty house. I can't wait to reap the rewards, a warm home and lowered heating bills this winter. Looks pretty awesome, reminds me of Ghost Busters when the Stay Puff Marshmellow Man explodes in NYC. Nice.

Piland Pad Progress

We went over to the house yesterday to check on the framing and make sure all of the doors were in the right places for our bathroom addition. SO EXCITED to see the house coming together. I was so nervous about vaulting the ceiling in the living/dining room, and I think it looks incredible. I got chills the moment I walked in. And, they were able to incorporate the dormer window on the front of the house. I'm in awe of how beautiful it is.

My sister was there to offer (really good) furniture placement advice. This isn't her first rodeo. She's beautifully decorated several of their houses. Also, I think we've finally decided how we want the kitchen to look (cabinets, sink, hardware, appliances–everything). This is major progress for us.

They are supposed to be finishing all of the electrical and plumbing next week, so the photos from that might not be too exciting. I'll share them all the same. Think good thoughts for a smooth wiring of the house. (!)