Finally... It is done-ish!

Well, tonight was an interesting one to say the least. As I mentioned in my last post, the heat of the AZ summer puts me in fight or flight mode, which also puts me in a constant state of anxiousness. When I arrived home P Funk wanted to chat about my current goings ons... but that seemed like a large order, so we went to sushi instead. Going out to eat always seems to ease my mind, or at least distract me for a bit.

When we got home I decided it was time to get my craft room put together. So I did.



This is going to be my new zen space. I have space to do yoga, I have my ergonomic chair and I am really digging it so far. I need another lamp, preferably a floor lamp, some shelves, a small cabinet and a plant. I am also going to re-screen my shoji screen for a little privacy. P Funk has his man cave, and I have this... I am grateful. He can also sit in here with me on my reading chairs, just to enjoy music or each others company.

Do you have a zen space? What makes it so?

My new oasis

Today Mustang Man headed up to my grandparents to retrieve our patio set. I came home from a VERY long day at work to a new beautiful set up in our outdoor living space!

And this... this is my favorite part! I am looking forward to mornings on the front porch with my pup, my Mustang Man, Chix meowing at the door and a good cup of coffee. With this new set up, I am contemplating getting the Sunday paper weekly... just to fit the part... Doesn't it look glorious?

Cozy...

Yes, I am wearing Christmas jammies, and yes, I do wear them year round.

On freezing nights like this is there anything better than curling up on the couch with slippers and flannel jammies? Sitting here with the heater on though makes me like the view from the couch...although I wish I wasn't watching Two & a Half Men...

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Best Day Ever

Friday I was so busy at my place of employment that I was unable to take a lunch. However, bitter-sweetly there was cake for an employee's farewell that helped to fill my gurgling empty stomach. Little did I know, the sugar high was going to be very beneficial for my LONG commute home and what happened as soon as I arrived home. Now, on my stop and go drive, I was surfing the radio stations because my Zee Avi CD was skipping and low and behold, 99.9 had begun their Christmas music marathon. Now, there are many reasons I love Christmas music. 1. Because I know every word to every song. 2. Because it fills my soul with a happiness that only comes for a little while each year, 3. It makes me believe I have an amazing voice because I can hit every note that Josh Groban hits... and the list could go on. I was sang at the top of my lungs and agreed that, yes, it is indeed the most wonderful time of year. I was so looking to arrive home to tell my future mother-in-law and her good friend Jeffery (visiting from their homes for the night) the good news about Christmas music on the radio 24/7! "Good news everyone!" I came in the front door shouting! *WOW* *BAM* *ZAP* *BOOM!* I was stopped in my tracks with a beautiful arrangement of suitcases in my dining area.
I am sure the neighbors were slightly alarmed by the high pitched shouts and slapping sounds from the MANY high fives that were given in the 30+ minutes after I arrived home. These suit cases (found at a yard sale 2 doors down, not to be confused with the band with a similar title.) changed the entire feeling of the room and in turn gave more inspirations than 2 ladies and a Jeffery know what to do with.

This was just the beginning.. Jeffery (an interior designer by trade) set up all the dishes in the hutch for me and they looked amazing. Me, Lynda (My FMIL) and Jeffery decided the room was off balance. As you may remember, large empty walls. Lynda and Jeffery begged and pleaded with me to put the big Mexican Armoire into the room too. I dug my heels in and said there will be no TV in this room, it just isn't going to happen. Well, Lynda, being the brilliant and talented wino that she is created a new purpose for the Armoire, in fact, I think she FOUND its purpose. It was never MEANT to be a TV holding piece of furniture. It was destined to be so much more... A BAR!

Now, this has created MANY projects for the future. The photo above is a rough mock up just to get the ideas flowing, and to house the wine that we were drinking for the night. And it looks so much better at night. Lamp lighting really makes it. And that empty corner, it will not remain that way... the Mustang Man and I are waiting on some wing back chairs from Lynda to place perfectly on either side of the window. It will now be a parlor. (If you have a less old fashioned title please leave a comment, for Lynda thinks parlor is too old a term for our hip house.)
The Bar Project- To be continued with amazing miniature projects to make one BIG beautiful piece. 

*Disclaimer- Lynda is no more of a wino than I am, and so I do not believe I am insulting her, just mentioning one of the many awesome things we have in common.

Empty Walls

Empty walls have always been hard to come by for me. My mom is married to artist John McClusky and the result of that is being rich in art. The problem now is, I have so much more wall space than I ever have before, I am consumed with the pressure of painting location. The paintings that once seemed huge in my apartments, and previously, Mustang Man's town house, now seem quite small. Even my hutch seems to have shrunk in size.

This space in particular has me stumped. It is really big. What does one put in this space. My darling sister suggested a year-round nativity scene... I think she was kidding, but not a good idea to plant in my head.

Pumpkins from Pier 1 a few years ago... Wishing I would have purchased more to have a little pumpkin patch.

My lady guardians.

She means business. Also, the cross is trying to find its home on the empty walls. We have a cross collection that feels much smaller than it once did. Still trying to figure out which room they belong in.

One of my empty walls, mocking me.

Quite pleased with the out come of the bookshelf.

*PUNCH IN THE FACE* Empty walls.

Painting to be hung... but where?

My shrunken hutch...

A Birthday Gift from my darling sister.

Mustang Man's great grandmother's dishes...

I just love the details.

My cat clock...

Our key rack I painted...

Guest Bathroom

My necklace holder...

A girl can never have too many accessories.

My jeans... don't they look AWESOME? I love my walk-in closet.

My bad habit.

Home is where the heart is... and I own both...

So, I am a homeowner officially!! The house closed and the keys are mine!!! We have a delicious blue pool with a little patch of grass, and a fire place to hang the stockings on!!!

2011 is shaping up to be an AMAZING year! I only have 15,000 projects I want to do to make the house scream awesome!

Holiday Break..

I lolly gagged my way home today... stopping at the Target for some candy (now is the time to get the bulk business.) Gazed slightly at the Christmas decor starting to arrive.I have to pace myself at the Target, as I will not be paying the $100 cover charge for a while. And when I arrived home I knew I would be receiving the usual Wednesday market coupons and standard mailbox fillers, but my excitement level raised about 50 notches... The Crate and Barrel holiday catalog was here! I tried to do a little meditation to de-stress about the chaotic house appraisal situation (yes I am finally buying that house I blogged about, well A house...) but my little eye kept peering open at the catalog sent from heaven. I just HAD to look at it so I could move on with my night, and my life! I know I know, it isn't even Halloween, but I think about Christmas all year 'round. I save little things that might go well in my Christmas cards, or collect things from antique stores. And my future Mother in Law loves Christmas as much as I do. I have already received some of her Christmas swizzle sticks (in August)! Oh this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

So Crate and Barrel, what have we to share with Emily's Christmas Spirit?

Yes, you are the holiday of my dreams! And how fortunate that my new home has a fireplace, and I will be moving in shortly before the holidays. Oh how my heart longs for this day!

If you know me at all, and perhaps this is a good time to say, I ADORE paisley, and this little (or large) gem is my two favorite things tied into one. *nearly shouting* Paisley and Christmas! Now if only there were a little piece of chocolate decadence on it I would be in REALLY good shape... ooohhh cheese would work too.

Oh, hello adorable matching piece of heaven.

Oh, the three together? I think so!!!

Why not do something like this for place settings or something???

 I figure, if there are holidays, there is a need for a holiday party. Now I just need to make some friends here and we will be on our way to this holiday soiree!
Ohhhh I am in Holiday Heaven!!! If anyone knows how I can move into Santa's workshop, please let me know. And now to start the Christmas music on my Pandora Radio!!!

Clean Slate, Blank Canvas... what have you...

I am not sure if you have heard of the downward spiral of the real estate market... No? Well, let me tell you, it is officially and unfortunately for some, a buyer's market. I, in particular, do not fall into the seller category so I am bitter sweetly excited about this turn of events. Sure, my entire family is in the real estate biz... and yes this market has effected them, but because they are all in the market, I have a grip of giants' shoulders to stand on while making my first home purchase.

I have found a place that I really like. The flippers (not to be confused with fake baby teeth) sank $20,000 into the kitchen, which seems to be the most important place to sink money into. So, Mustang Man and I are considering an offer.
Down payment you ask? Well, we are figuring all that out. Hopefully, because the house is a short sale, it will take a little while so we can pull the extra coins out of our couch cushions and start a successful lemonade stand!
This new house, should we get it, and please assist me in crossing your fingers and wishing on shooting stars, will be a whole new project. It doesn't NEED the work, but I do. I have been creatively stagnant and am ready for something! The pool area could use some sprucing up with greenery and such, and obviously some solar lights, outdoor curtains, you know, the essentials.
So, if we get this house, stay tuned for all the projects that will be in store!