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    "I used to fear this life, this suburban mortgage and white fence and a baby on my hip. I want more, I used to think. I wanted Spain and novels and wild loves and adventures.

    I met your dad and instantly wanted you."

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Monday, June 08, 2009

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Comments

Angella

I suck at choosing colors (Our walls are off-white), but I LOVE your house! Congrats, Jennie :)

Jess

The house is beautiful! I am very impressed. And I love the bold colors. I have no advice for you though because we are facing similar questions with our house and we have NO ANSWERS. NONE.

Jen

Congrats again! So exciting! When do you guys move in?

Jenny

Yay! Congratulations! You'll have a grand time feathering your new nest. Can't wait to see more pics.

Manda

OHHHH!! I am so jealous!! Your house is SO CUTE! So much personality!! So excited for you and SOOOO jealous! Wish I was moving into an adorable house with a red shed in Texas!! My fave is the kitchen floor. Love it.
Also? Men need to learn to never, EVER argue with their wives about decorating or paint. I think Dr. Phil said that once. :)

Anonymous New York

OMG!! It's gorgeous! The garden! The porch! The swing! The cool black and white floor! It's PERFECT! I love it and I'm so, so happy for you guys. Thrilled. (Ok, now I have to read the words of the post besides "porch" and "swing"). xoxo

Kristen

It's beautiful! I love it. Congratulations!
I have no advice other than a neutral colored couch, because you might get tired of the living room wall color and you'll want to be able to keep the couch. And please, please paint the kitchen cabinets the same white as the other ones.
Enjoy the super cute house!

She Likes Purple

Kristen, I take it you're against the chalkboard paint? Well, I won't invite you over then as I think that's the way we're leaning ;)

Erin

OK, the couch. Definitely neutral, but I have to say. MICROFIBER. We got ours at JC Penney (so it was a decent price), and when you have a baby, the microfiber is awesome. Also, if you have pets. Because pet hair doesn't get worked into the fabric and vacuums off easily, and baby messes—of any kind, I'm talking poop to puke to milk and whatever—will rub off with (wait for the irony...) BABY WIPES! No joke.

Anonymous New Mexico

Congratulations on your new house! What a task with a new baby. Which is the reason for my post. Your obsession with him sleeping through the night is putting some big expectations on someone so tiny. Imagine trying to sleep all night on a liquid diet. Granted, formula-fed babies are known for sleeping longer than breastfed babies, but I'm here to tell you, it's a HUGE mom myth that a child under one year can or should do that. A diet that mainly consists of solid food around 1 year seems to coincide with better sleeping. Makes sense, no? Have no expectations and therefore you won't be disappointed is the attitude I had to adopt. I have a 17 month old who still wakes up once a night!

Elena

It's BEAUTIFUL, honey! I can't wait to see more pictures, and I think the chalkboard paint will be awesome. I'd love to do that somewhere in my house, but I can't find a good spot. =)

I'm so EXCITED for the four of you. I bet Molly is going to love the extra space.

And yay for a picket fence!

She Likes Purple

Anonymous New Mexico: I emailed you directly but please keep in mind I use sarcasm in my writing. My kid eats when he's hungry, and I don't expect him to curb his hunger because his mom misses sleeping through the night. I hope, sure, but I don't expect.

Kate

What an adorable house. Looks like a great settings for lots of terrific memories. Congrats!

slynnro

Super cute.

ali

love it!

and I'm SO jealous of all the GREEN. those kinds of homes do not exist in toronto.

Anna

What a beautiful house Jennie! I love the idea of chalk board paint for the kitchen. Also, I think a neutral couch color would work great. We had really bold paint in one of our homes (a similar yellow) and our neutral, sort of brown/gray couch worked great in the space.

I am in love with your beautiful dark hardwoods! And huge/flat yard! So awesome.

Gretchen

I think the couch could go a couple different ways, a brown shade to be more traditional and you can add accent pillows to blend the wall color and maybe some reds in with it. I happen to LOVE red with mustard colored walls. So, if you aren't afraid of color (and you said you were going bold) a red microfiber couch would be great in there. Throw a rug on the floor with reds, browns and gold in it to tie it all together. Whatever you decide, at least you know IT'S ALL YOURS!!!! Congrats! Oh yeah, I almost forgot, the chalkboard paint sounds like a great idea.

Christina

Congrats again! All of my ideas from yesterday apply even though I read the walls as orange rather than yellow. I would stick with a brown/tan couch and use other items to bring in color. I got yellow couches once and got tired of them FAST- and the couch is a lot more money than a few yellow pillows. You know? I second the microfiber- a baby wipe takes off everything from the kid gunk to pet hair.
Chalkboard paint sounds awesome! Just dont get too excited and add the magnet stuff to it. From what I've read that's a 100% FAIL rate.

Heather

Congrats Jennie! It looks so cute! Can't wait to see what it looks like after you are done decorating.

Natalie

It is so cute!!!!

TUWABVB

It like you found a little English cottage in the middle of Texas - I'm in love with your new home. Congratulations!

Have you seen this?

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=128

Or this?

http://www.dryerasemagic.com/

It's WHITE paint that turns into a dry erase board surface. Not sure how well it works, but I'm thinking of using it for an entire wall in our office. YOu could have white cabinets AND leave passive aggressive notes. ;)

maggie

WANT. KITCHEN.

And now I sort of want to paint my entire house with the dry erase paint that last comment mentioned. HOW COOL IS THAT?

Erin

Congrats! The new house looks adorable!:)

lindsay

Congrats! It must be pretty powerful to think how far you and Mike (and Kyle) have come. Beautiful lot from what we can see too :)

Stephanie

Oh. My God.

You have a white picket fence!

You remain the most adorable person I know.

It is just stunningly lovely. I'm so happy for you guys! The HUGE garage and loft is to die for. And honey, you make sure you thank SOMEONE everyday for all that kitchen cabinet space. Good luck with all your decorating - I will be insanely jealous if you beat me with all your painting and renos.

PS I've lived in my house for nearly five years, so I'm thinking, considering the bedrooms in my house are the same colour they were when I bought it, you're the winner.

Steph

Your house is like my dream house! seriously! It's so adorable with a front porch and picket fence! I love the garden and you are so lucky to get the total package with a completed garden. Wow!

And if you don't paint that chalkboard paint in your kitchen, I am going to drive my ass over there and do it while you're sleeping. That kitchen is just begging you to put chalkboard paint in it!

Dianna

Your house is so beautiful, Jennie. I love it! Gosh, I so want to invite myself 3000 miles south and come visit. I love the yard, it just looks so happy and cheery. I also really like the blue color in the middle room, it's bold and lovely. And a big space too, lots of room for your little guy to play soon. Congratulations, it is a beautiful home!

Julienne

It's perfect. So perfect. I completely understand why this is your dream house.

My couch suggestion is one with a white slipcover. Craziness right? Nope, you can always pop off the slip cover and wash it and BLEACH it if you need to and if things get super crazy you can always get a new slipcover without having to worry about replacing or reupholstering an entire piece of furniture!

And I love the idea of a chaise lounge in the blue room. Check out the sofa that MAdeByGirl just got: http://madebygirl.blogspot.com/ (Scroll down to see the lovely yellow-ness).

jodifur

just gorgeous. Congrats, I'm so happy.

And for some reason I'm highly amused we bought houses on the same day. I don't know why.

jodifur

that was supposed to be so happy for you! Typing too fast.

kristy

congratulations!!

K

What an adorable house! If I could find something affordable like that in the DC area I'd be in business... but no such luck. So jealous (but not jealous enough to move to TX;)).
I love that you are keeping the bold colors and the kitchen floor is awesome! I'd go with the chalkboard paint or the dry erase paint mentioned above.

Raven

That house is so darling it just makes my heart swell. I WANT ONE JUST LIKE IT! Seriously. That is like my ideal house.

Idears
1)Chalkboard paint: Yes, yes yes a thousand times yes!! (it does come in both black and green and I think either would work)
2)Backsplash: white ceramic tile laid in a subway pattern would be easy to keep clean (seal the grout) and not clash with the floor or the cabinets, it would also keep with the style of the floor tile. alternately a glass mosaic would allow you to bring in another accent color.
3)The nook: a table with a checkerboard or backgammon table painted on it and two chairs for a games area.
4)Couch color: a slip cover white (cool crisp and easy to keep clean) or a deep red to pop off of that mustard color.
5)Headboard: I would vote for something padded against pictures simply for ease of reading and comfort of reading in bed. It's hugely easy to make your own.
6)I also vote for staining the floor in your bedroom so that it matches the floor in the rest of the house.


I can't wait to see it when I come visit and would be happy to help paint or with any projects you would like help with, I can cut in free hand with no taping FYI.

SO THRILLED FOR YOU!

Askew Adventures

I'm delurking to tell you that your new house is super beautiful. It makes me almost want to move to Texas. I am a HUGE fan of the chalkboard paint cabinets idea, that sounds so fun.

For the backsplash idea in the kitchen, I think if you did something in a solid color tile (like red, green or blue) that has a raised pattern or design/image on it, that could be really cool and not clash with the floor. The floor is awesome.

By the way, also, you are an amazing writer and your honesty throughout your pregnancy and new motherhood has been really incredible to read. I think you are doing a fantastic job and Kyle is totally adorable.

AmyB

CONGRATS! The house is just adorable. Sounds like you have a good handle on the changes you want to make, although it looks like you have very little to do, overall. One thing we've learned from being homeowners is that less is more when you are doubting things. And focus on one project at a time, lest you overload yourself and end up abandoning everything due to anxiety/stress/lack of time.

As for couch suggestions, I highly recommend a darker leather; we have a brown nubuck set and it's really stood the test of time with our two dogs and years of wear and tear.

I love the idea of chalkboard paint on the random cabinets in the kitchen. The black will go great with your floors and break the room up a little.

Good luck getting packed and settled in! And remember: moving is always better with a cooler of icy beer. Just sayin'. ;o)

Katie

Your house? IS BEAUTIFUL!!! How lucky are you guys to have found a house that you have to do almost nothing to? I love it! My opinion on the couch is that you should go with something neutral, more specifically a brown leather. You'd never have to worry about stains and you could put it atop a nice rug and the room would look amazing. IKEA has a great leather couch that's comfy and affordable: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80107506 The chalkboard painted cabinets are going to be fantastic - definitely do that! Congratulations on landing your dream house! I think I speak for everyone when I say that we can't wait to see the finished product!!

Cheri DeLurker

First of all, I love, love, love your new house - it is AWESOME. Congratulations!!!

I think this type of couch would look good:

http://www.ashleyfurniture.com/Showroom/Showroom.aspx?PageId=Showroom&CategoryID=1&ItemNo=5790038&SetDomTab=1&SeriesNo=57900&CollectionId=&style=&PageNumber=1&IsClicked=1&CatPageNumber=3

La Petite Chic

Congratulations! You had me at porch (two!). Seriously, I base my love of a home on whether or not is has a porch. Would you poke me in the eye if I suggested an off-white couch? I also second the other Katie's suggestion about brown leather. A little more baby friendly than off-white.

sensibly Sassy

How sweet it is! Congratulations, it is like a really great episode of house hunters where they get the coolest house. Yay!

auntie

LOVE the new house! and i'm so jealous!! it's adorable. and you guys deserve it :)

(i suck at decorating, so i won't bother you with my sucky advice.)

Rachel

It's adorable! Can't wait to see the decorations that you choose! I'm terrible at it, so I don't have any advice or suggestions! :)

Moose

It's amazing! Congratulations!

Kerri Anne

Have I mentioned that I love your (new!) house? (Because I'm totally thinking of pitching a tent in the middle of your kitchen. That wouldn't be inconvenient, right?)

Jessie

Love the new house. How exciting! I've just been reading through your previous posts that mention buying a house, and I can so, so relate. We're in the middle of that right now (due to close in about 2 weeks), and I don't think I've ever been so stressed. It's ridiculous! Congrats on making it to the other side!

Beanie

yay! Congrats on the house!

OK, so colors.

For your mustard room couch, I'd suggest something dark green. Not quite hunter, but something with a brownish green hue. Our living room is similar and our couch is from Lazy Boy, the colors looks great.

Cabinets: I'd suggest going with the same white as the other ones and maybe add a splash of color by getting some funky knobs. I also really like your idea of chalkboard paint!

Backsplash: that floor is going to make it tough. What about some imprinted metal? something like this: http://www.aldonchem.com/mt-metal-tile.htm

Whatever you chose, it won't matter because your house is a house of love.

Enjoy it!

Beanie

Oh, I forgot. Be wary of leather with a dog that gets up on the couch. It's cheaper to get a cloth one and pay the extra couple hundred bucks for the stain protection.

Jenny

Congratulations!! Looks absolutely amazing. I would go with a neutral couch, like gray. Boring, but with a nice throw blanket, or area rug, you can pull in (or tie in) more colours. That's all I've got! :)

Holley

I LOVE the house. A lot of character. Congrats. Uh...and you pretty much suck as a person for even thinking your baby will ever sleep again in your life. I mean, God, it's just sleep. And never mind that Maslow placed sleep on his Hierarchy of Needs Pyramid at the FUCKING BOTTOM (right along with food and water). That's right. Sleep. Food. Water. I for one, could take or leave any of those things. So get over it.

notylia

ADORE the house! Very cute with lots of personality. And I'm late to the suggestion game (and didn't read the prior comments as carefully as I should have) but I'm going to second or third the microfiber couch. With dogs (and I assume similarly with small children) it is golden. As for color, we just purchased a neutral green couch (pale but not lime-y) and are painting our living room a mustard-y color. It looks great with our big paint test swatches. Also, for backsplash - I vote for pressed tin. Would fit with the look of the house and not clash with the floor. Ok, I'm done. Probably not too helpful to you, but lets me exercise my inner-hgtv freak without spending any more money :)

Sheila

Are the unseen cabinets the same shape/style as the ones that we can see? If so, what about painting the trim white and painting the flat centers with a layer of magnetic paint and then chalkboard paint?

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  • Secrets
    You’re only as unique as the secrets you keep. Go do something good. Go do something evil. In solitude and love, it’s beyond good and evil. Go do these things and tell no one. Let them quicken the throb of your heart and the pace of your blood and, as you become your own poem, watch who you become. People will see it in your eyes—not the content of your secrets—but the fact that you have secrets, that you know and have seen secret things. They will love you and hate you, want to possess and destroy you.

My Very Grand 2012 To-Do List

  • 1. Create a business plan for the 5K I'd like to organize.
    2. Finally buy those investment jeans.
    3. Get brave with a new hair color.
    4. Read all my book club selections.
    5. Make Kyle's baby blanket and book of letters.
    6. Take at least one yoga class a month.
    7. Make a neighborhood friend.
    8. Organize the upstairs work space.
    9. Go to the Fort Worth Modern Art Museum and eat lunch at Cafe Modern.
    10. Write and submit a piece on parenting.
    11. PR in every distance (5K, 10K, half-marathon).
    12. Get a third tattoo.
    13. Throw a baby shower.
    14. Take a trip with Mike, to celebrate our fifth anniversary.
    15. See a therapist.
    16. Update my SS card and passport.
    17. Make a general doctor's appointment.
    18. Go horseback riding.
    19. Decide what to do with my race bibs.
    20. Make these envelopes for thank you cards.
    21. Create and fill up a magical thinking jar.
    22. Paint some mason jars for our kitchen.
    23. Do something with the space above our couch.
    24. Create a nostalgia wall on the wall by our stairs.
    25. Sneak in cans of champagne to a chick flick with friends.
    26. Replace our kitchen counters.
    27. Have a garage sale and donate half the money to our local food bank.
    28. Create an address wreath for our front door.
    29. Paint our front door.
    30. Run at least 250 miles throughout the year.
    31. Find a charity that speaks to me, that I can become a voice for.
    32. Say something out loud every day.
    33. Go back to College Station.
    34. Pose for a boudoir session.
    35. Wear pretty new under things on New Year's Day.
    36. Enjoy Boston cream pie cupcakes.
    37. Host a more organized run at this year's Blathering.
    38. Take a family trip, even if it's just a weekend drive somewhere nearby.
    39. Hold Natalie's baby boy in the hospital.
    40. Create an Activities Advent Calendar for an early month in 2012.
    41. Create my Christmas Plan by November 1st.
    42. Create a media kit for my Lush sites.
    43. Replace our stockings for 2012.
    44. Buy a tree skirt.
    45. Go to kickboxing, at least five times.
    46. Sell 50 shirts through Cherry Jean.
    47. Finish the 6-week boot camp class I've already paid for.
    48. No phone or computer between 6 pm - Kyle's bedtime.
    49. Start marathon prep.
    50. Host a champagne-inspired dinner (champagne risotto, champagne cocktails, etc.)
    51. Do something with our front porch.
    52. Take Kyle on a night out of town, just us two.
    53. Eat at Salsa Fuego, in Fort Worth.
    54. Throw Mike a very rad 35th birthday party.
    55. Re-read To Kill a Mockingbird.
    56. Post on She Likes Purple at least 3x a week.
    57. Play poker.
    58. Volunteer at a race.
    59. Karaoke, at least once!
    60. Regularly work out the month of December.
    61. Write a fictional story (here, on paper, submitted, somehow).
    62. Hit send on a hard email.
    63. Host an outdoor movie night in our yard.
    64. Wear a swimsuit.
    65. Put a new pin in our wall map.
    66. Buy a great pair of impractical heels.
    67. See Beauty & the Beast in a theater, again.
    68. See the Nutcracker, Christmas season 2012.
    69. Run 15 miles, at some point.
    70. Get a new blender and food processor.
    71. Go to the ballet.
    72. Take professional family photos.
    73. Write a letter to Mike once a month.
    74. Do 10 real push-ups and one pull-up.
    75. Run 3 miles for my 30th birthday.
    76. Create an awesome headboard.