Extreme Makeover: My Kitchen Edition

My kitchen: before.

I am so excited - tomorrow marks the start of a paint makeover in my beloved kitchen! I should caveat that the kitchen is beloved because I spend so much time there cooking, which I love. However, the cupboards are definitely worn down and the paint color is something along the lines of Big Bird yellow. I do love the backsplash and under-cabinet lighting, but my love for those is tempered by my dislike of the ancient stove (yes, I know it looks cool - but if you'd like to clean it out by hand give me a call) and the amazing (when you can't say something nice...) blue countertops. I would never have picked them myself.

Thanks to some designer friends, our state tax refund (thanks, Colorado!) and a serendipitous e-mail announcing that a wonderful painter had some suddenly found time - our kitchen is about to undergo a needed makeover. The cabinets will become a distressed white, the walls are getting a muted taupe color, the hardware will all be changed to brushed nickel, and the dishes in the before picture will all be put away. Hee-hee, had to throw that one in there.

Stay tuned for the after shots! The job should be over by the weekend.

A CO PSA

This morning at about 4:30 we were startled awake by the carbon monoxide detector in Baby F's room. At first we didn't know what it was, and spent some bleary moments stumbling around looking for the source of the beep. We finally figured it out, and immediately checked on Baby F to make sure he was okay. Believe it or not, he slept through the whole ordeal...

The beeping was intermittent and we quickly learned that the alarm had simply malfunctioned, but it was scary nonetheless, particularly given that carbon monoxide is odorless and can be deadly.

Tonight on the way home I stopped by Target to buy two new carbon monoxide detectors. The CPSC recommends that ALL homes have a carbon monoxide detector. Whether you believe your home is at risk or not, isn't it worth a small investment for some peace of mind?

There's a new man in my life...

There's a new man in my life, and his name is Bob. I've been lusting over a Bob Revolution stroller for a few months now. When I first had Baby F I was content with what I had: my basic stroller, a jogging stroller passed down to us by some amazing friends and a snap & go I found on Craig's List for $15 - perfect for travel! Recently, however, I found myself avoiding taking Baby F for a walk because walking on the old sidewalks of our neighborhood can be a jarring experience, to say the least. Walking on the newly paved street is an option, but I hate dodging cars and hoping someone doesn't pull out of a parking spot unexpectedly.

Enter Bob. Thanks to an amazing sale on the 2010 Bob models at REI, I finally decided to bite the bullet. Now - amazing sale still means spending a pretty penny, but in this case I can already say it was worth the money. We took Baby F for a walk this afternoon and didn't even think twice about hitting the street over the sidewalk! Thanks to Bob's revolving front wheel for maneuverability and the shock system which makes for a smooth ride, he wasn't jostled around at all. In fact, he fell fast asleep before we returned home and stayed sleeping for about 30 minutes once we came inside! The Bob handles like a dream and weighs next to nothing. It's easy to fold down and pops right back up with just one hand.

I am so excited for the days to grow longer and the weather to stay warm so that Baby F and I can hit the trails with our newfound friend Bob! I foresee lots of walks to the Zoo and the Museum this spring and summer, and I'm guessing that Daddy will love taking Baby F running with him a few times a week. So glad to have found our new love just in time for Valentine's Day!

I love a good deal...

I just received my first order from 6pm.com - two adorable pairs of Robeez shoes for Baby F (one pair pictured here...) I got both pairs for about half the cost of a full-price pair (usually around $30+)! I am new to 6pm.com, but if you know me you know that I LOVE a good deal, and 6pm.com has way more than just baby stuff. I am lusting over some boots as well as some really cute blouses that are amazing brands and great discounts. Perhaps there's an online shopping spree in my future?

They're back!

You might remember my December post in which I introduced the darling "monster" dolls that my mom, Cathy, made first for a friend's baby and then started making for fun for other friends. All of those little monsters found homes just in time for Christmas - but I have exciting news: she's created a new mob of monsters (pictured here) which would make excellent Valentine's gifts for little ones!

Leave a comment here or contact me directly if you're interested in snagging one of these monsters for your little monster. They are only $20 each, and I heard great reviews from everyone who gave a monster doll for Christmas. Baby F loves his!

Baby F & "Yoop"

Public Proclamation: 100 Days of Thanks

So I have this new idea that I figured I might as well declare publicly to kick start myself... I've decided to take on a personal handwritten thank you note challenge. My goal is to write 100 thank you notes over the course of the next year, identifying opportunities to thank people for everything from the obvious like gifts to the more obscure, like maybe I'll write a thank you note to my first grade teacher and thank her for teaching me about "Wow Kazows" - which were these fun little notes she used to stick to our papers when we did a really great job. I'm pretty sure I still have one tucked away in a keepsake box somewhere.

I've already started a list of people to thank on my phone, and I've been adding to it when inspiration hits me. I'm excited to kick this off because it also celebrates a few things I get kind of excited about: stationery and getting letters in the mail. Who knows - maybe I'll get a handwritten thank you in thanks for my thank you? And, I have tons of stationery that I have been given as gifts over the years that is just itching for a purpose. Can't wait to put it to use!

Alright. I feel like declaring this publicly will give me the motivation I need to get started. Goal? Get the first one out tomorrow. I can do it. Now if I can just track down Mrs. Fuller and her Wow Kazows...

Oooh...

Latest find via Wanelo. Perhaps I could pair it with my new jeans?

It's Jean-ious!

Tonight I attended a private party hosted by my friend and colleague Ramonna at the Blues Jean Bar. If you haven't been to the Blues Jean Bar you simply must go. A word of warning: these jeans are what I like to call investment pieces. Foundations in your wardrobe, if you will. However, as my favorite stylists Stacey and Clinton say, it's worth it to spend money on a few great items that fit well and will last than it is to have lots of cheap stuff that doesn't fit well or flatter. I'm a slow convert (since I'm a real bargain hound), but Stacey and Clinton wouldn't steer me wrong.

To that end (and speaking of ends...) I got an amazing new pair of jeans tonight that I'm currently washing and cannot wait to wear. Here's a preview - although not on my own body (I wish!)

In addition to having a great jean selection, the Blues Jean Bar also has talented and knowledgable sales people who gave us some great tips about jeans, including:

• Always wash your jeans in cold water and then hang them to dry. NEVER put them in the dryer.
• Washing your jeans inside out will help to preserve the color/wash.
• If your jeans are super dark (like the ones I just bought), wash them before wearing and include a cup of vinegar to help seal in the dye. I'll let you know how this one goes...
• It's not necessary to wash your jeans often. In fact, assuming they don't get unusually dirty, you should only wash your jeans every few wears, not each time you wear them.
• When you buy jeans, they should be really snug. I'm talking almost uncomfortable snug. Depending on the brand (and your stylist should be able to help with this...) the jeans might stretch up to one full size within the first hour of wear. If you don't want to look like you have a saggy bum, heed this warning and err on the side of snug.
• Before having jeans hemmed, wash them and then bring them back to the store/tailor with a favorite pair(s) of shoes so they can be hemmed just right.

All good stuff - and I look forward to following these tips and keeping my new Fidelitys kicking for years to come. After all, that's what a good investment piece of clothing is all about!

Day Dreaming...

I know I'm supposed to be working, but I took a quick day dreaming detour and had to share... I love the site Wanelo. Just perusing the front page makes me feel creative. I am currently digging on this cool shelving idea...