Bedroom Inspiration : Oh Deer!

When redecorating our new house, we chose to to do very neutral colors so it would be appealing to lots of buyers should we decide to up and move back to America.

For this reason, I am loving the bedroom of Nikole Herriot, as featured on design*sponge.  So much, in fact, that we chose to  paint a chocolatey brown feature wall in our bedroom.

I think what really gets me are the antlers.  Wouldn't they be perfect for hanging necklaces?  Remember how I desperately wanted to buy a head, but Nick put his foot down?  Well I think since antlers are a little tamer version of that, maybe I could get away with it.... maybe...?  (If you're inclined I would appreciate you leaving comments on how classy and fabulous antlers are for Nick to read.  Comments on how he should give me free reign in the decorating department are also appreciated.)

Though I would have to find a vegetarian friendly antler option.  Any tip offs?  I know I saw wood carved ones online but I can't seem to rediscover them.  Oh and while I'm on the deer kick, isn't this duvet cover the coolest? (brought to my attention by Krystal of Village)  I'm pretty sure I wouldn't get away with this though.  Maybe it's a bit of deer over kill (pun intended - yes, I think I'm funny), but I LOVE it!

I think it would be the perfect combination of chic hillbilly.  

Whats not to love?

Well thats the decoration inspiration for now.  If any one else has neutral bedroom inspiration please share it with me!  I am having the hardest time deciding on a color to paint our guest bedroom which has a weird blue/grey carpet.

Other than that we are trying desperately to get everything in a live-able state, but we are having trouble coordinating trades people.  Very frustrating!

Give Away - Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone!!

Wow!  

This is my 201th post.

I think thats pretty crazy.

And even crazier that there are still people reading this.

My blog seems to change directions a lot so I appreciate you for sticking with me.

But at the heart of it, I will always be a food snob,
and there will always be food posts around here.

Unfortunately, due to our current circumstances,
I won't really have much to share with you for awhile 

(except maybe pizza delivery photos)...

This makes me super duper sad.
I love taking pictures of food and sharing recipes - 

especially when you let me know how my stuff turned out in YOUR kitchen!

So in order to celebrate my 201th post... 

and to make sure I am still helping someone concoct delicious vegetarian food,
 I am doing a give-away!!

I've said it before,
Deborah Madison's Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone 
is my favorite vegetarian cookbook.  

The recipes are simple and I think they will appeal to you carnivores too.

The rules are simple:

Be a follower.

and

Leave a comment.

(I would like you extra if you left a comment telling me what dishes from this blog,
if any, you have made, or are planning on making, but this won't get you extra points.)

Simple right?
Winners will be picked September 15th.

Good luck!  

New House Stats

1.5 - Weeks since we exchanged keys to our new house
7 - Days I have spent stripping wallpaper
3 - More days I predict I will be stripping wall paper. 
2 - Number of wall paper steamers I have broken.  Who knew you had to refill them before they turn off?
0 - Major fights with Nick.
6 - Number of major fights I would have had with Nick had I been DIYing with him for a week straight this time last year.
79 - Pages I have read of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which I credit with helping me fight less.
3 - contractors we have met with.
13 - days we have both been sick (just a nasty cold - no worries)
2 - weeks till move in.
0 - Rooms that are complete.
2 - Rooms that have flooring.
4 - awesome new neighbors we've met.  
5 - times we went to B&Q (DIY store)
19 - paint samples I have bought.
2 - colors of paint that we picked that are not in stock at our local B&Q.
109,284 - times I complained about not having a car.
1 - Pinky toe of Nick's that is still broken.
0 - Number of times Nick has complained about not having a car while walking on broken toe.
1 - New guest bed that has been purchased.
17 - days till our first guest arrives.  


Yikes!  That my friends is stressing me out.  And my blog is becoming so full of words and no pictures and I hate that.  I hope I will have some before and after shots to show you soon, but right now we're still plowing away through the before phase.  Wish us luck!

ps.  I'm pretty sure I stole the number post concept from Emz.  

A Conversation with a Cabbie

It started with the usual where are you from...?

America.

It progressed to making fun of my slight twang.

"You're a quacky yank.  Quack Quack"

Yeah, I've got a little Midwestern drawl.

Conversation turns to politics.

Oh, brother.  This is not my strong suit.

He hates Bush.  Typical. 

Loves Obama.  Also, typical.

Cried like a baby when he was elected.  

He even said.......

"His election was like God coming to Earth."

A reincarnation of JC?

Come on.

Then, it got personal.

"Can I ask you something personal?"

Yeah I guess.

About September 11th.

Uh huh.

When the pentagon blew up - they didn't find the bodies.  

How is that possible?

Me - I'm not one for conspiracy theories.

At midnight Nick and I were discussing this conspiracy theory bologna.  

And he pulled this up.  He figured I wouldn't watch it for more than 5 mins.

Like I said, Politics - not my thing,

 and political documentaries - really not my thing.

But an hour and a half later, 

this documentary was blowing my mind.

Seriously.

My. mind. was. BLOWN.

So my compatriots, I'm now wondering...

how do you feel about conspiracy theories?

Especially when it comes to 911.

Bleh.

Dear September First,

You are really irritating to me.

Today I could have done without:

• Nick's broken toe (the week he took off work to do DIY with me.  Damn you, osteogenesis imperfecta)
• Heidi's insane amounts of energy.  Pawing at back door for 45 minutes straight this morning when we locked her outside to get a little extra shut eye - check. 
• The fridge breaking today.  
• The fridge magically fixing itself after I called the rental people to tell them it was broken. Doesn't that just make you look like an a-hole?  Oh and they already HATE us.
• It being September first and it reminding me that I don't think I have worked on any of my New Year's resolutions.  Time is a ticking and making me feel like I am in the midst of a quarter life crisis.
• The wallpaper in our new house REFUSING to come down.  And then the wall paper steamer breaking.
• Paint colors looking significantly different on the cards than they do on the walls.  How many samples is it reasonable to buy?  I'm pushing 20 and the husband is not a fan of this process.
• My American drivers license being good for one year and now I need a British one to be allowed to drive here.  

However, there are a few things I am glad for today:

• That there is one restaurant within walking distance of where we live.  And we had a good lunch date there today.
• At least the Doodle's energy can be funny.  (Using Nick's head as a stepping stool to climb on to the window ledge and giving him a bruised face in the process - check.  He looks gangsta now)
• Self help books.  I bought the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People at the airport.  Who am I?  I wonder if I will become highly effective?
• We ordered a brand new kitchen yesterday!  And we got it from the expensive place (Thank you 50% off sale!  You make me feel like a classy girl.)
• We might finally have a car soon!  Thank God.
• We bought a bed for the guest room yesterday.  And it is only 3 weeks till we have our first guest - who I haven't seen in 3 years!!!!!!  OMG!! I'm excited!!!
• Bloggers.  I like you guys.  Thanks for reading this crap I come out with.

That is all.