Dear Ikea, ur awesome

I'm convinced in a past life I was from Sweden because the excitement that stirs in me for a trip to IKEA as if I'm returning to the motherland - is just - inexplicable. It is such a magical place... where, really, dreams come true :)

OK! down to business!! If we decide to cut on costs and not do a custom island NOW (gasp), we could, for the meantime get one of these super snazzy table island storage thingamajigs from IKEA that could act as an island, extra countertop space, storage and maybe we could funkify it with some paint to offset the country kitchen look we are going for. I hear these days that mismatching islands from cabinets is all the rave. I'm not so nuts about it - but what do i know? :) I'm gonna go with the crowd on this one. 

 

Rub A dubba Dubbie, Mama in the Tubbie

Here are Bathtubs I love. I want it to be more than just that porcelin/enamel standard bathtub look. I want a little luxury for mama, know what I mean? It's overkill for babies' baths but this will serve a dual purpose! I don't mind a little dry wall building the tub up like the first pic from Centsational Girl's blog, which is just fabulous. I also love that raised panel look that outlines the outside wall of the tub like in the second pic. I also really like the tile look encapsulating the tub - that's fab too. I think Marble is too expensive but basically whatever is most cost effective of these options is what I'm going with. I'm already dreaming of Calgon taking this mama AWAY!!

Super Productive Day in CT

We head up to Ct yesterday after being snowed in for over 24 hours. Wow were we going stir crazy or WHAT! Thank goodness the highways were clean so we trekked out to CT to get some stuff done!! It was a super productive day - I interviewed and chose and even registered with a Pediatrician for Kavan and for the new baby and even an Obstetrician for me. They were both very friendly and super helpful. I was very impressed. 2 more things checked off the list - yay!!

We also head to a specialized super fancy tile place with GORGEOUS tiles - tiles I could never even imagine up in my fantasies if I even tried. I had no idea they could look like this. We set up an appointment to meet with the head designer (ooh la la) for Saturday but in the meantime I took some pics of samples - stay tuned for that post! I'm having a very strong feeling tho that it's going to be WAY overpriced. You know what, it's ok. It's all about keeping an open mind, doing the research and then exploring ways to get ur cake and eat it too on the cheap! mmm... cake.

We then met with a potential contractor again who told us that the Master bath doesnt have enough room for a Shower AND a tub -- BOO! :( So what's a girl to do? 

1. Choose between the two?
2. Make a super small tub? or 
3. Pimp out the Boys' bathroom tub for mama to use as her spa getaway after they go to bed?
   
   The winner is ------- #1 and #3!
   
   So we will only have a shower in the master bathroom .... which on the plus side ... saves costs and lets us do more with something else! So the hubbigans agreed to let the boys' bathroom (the main one where guests will use too for showers) be extra nice and not just a plain tub, which there's nothing wrong with but hey - if we're getting things done and can bargain with these contractors and negotiate things to be thrown in here or there - WHY NOT?! I'm ok with it. I'm trying to be super positive about this stuff and not get carried away (veryhardtodo). I'd rather the contractor be up front and honest NOW than later when I'm already dreaming about things. I'd rather have answers now and one less decision to make later. This helps me stay grounded. Our bank account does a very good job of that too. :// Err.Besides, the hubs kept insisting there is no such thing as super small tubs that only little people can use which I kept asking for - just a super small tub, for me? please? Well - hmppf, they're pretty standard apparently? I beg to differ butttt will drop this battle because if we got a small one, that means my over 6 foot tall hubby wouldnt be able to use it.

When is the last time u let urself soak in a tub? God it's been so long but i'm convinced that if i had a nice one, I'd Use it for sure! Stay tuned for PICS of tubs I LIKE

To top the day off, we stopped by a good friend's place for some yummy din din and to let our babies play. My tv obsessed baby must've gotten way too much of a dose of TV during our snowed in day because this is pretty much how he played at our friends' place................. I think it's time for an intervention.

Rennovating Plans

After spending so much time interviewing contractors, we have been slowly tweaking what we want to get done and what we can afford in our budget. We still haven't picked a contractor we're going with yet but we have interviewed about 10 of them and gotten their quotes and have about 4-5 in the running. They all have very different personalities and bring something new and fresh to the table with their ideas, which I love. They definitely bring up aesthetic and technical points in terms of future resale value, cost effectiveness or structural possibilities with the house that are super helpful.

We want the following done with possible pics as examples of how we want it done:

• Replace Kitchen cabinets to a beige/offwhite cabinet scheme. Get a custom built island with matching dark brown or beige speckled granite and chairs to pull up to. Replace baseboard heating somehow? Knock the wall down between the kitchen and living room to open up the space.

• Create an arch and a little entry leading into a dining room from the living room, possibly with pedestals on the dry wall entry. 

• Staircase Leading up to Main Level - get custom fit carpeting on it, put a wooden cap on the iron rod banister and put up a low dry wall to replace the iron rod bars at the top

• French doors to be installed off dining room leading out to deck and in lower level leading out to back yard
  
  
  

• Get the Kids/Guest Bathroom redone on the Main Level - not so sure how I want this to look. Maybe something like this??
  

• Make the Master bedroom closet a Master Bathroom and build a master closet in bedroom
  

We've decided that all the extras we had in mind like wainscoting, new carpeting, hardwood floors, the kids' rooms etc can all be done later and possibly done by us tackling DIY projects. I think it'd be fun!!

Holy Snow!!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! It is reallllly coming down out there! It's beautiful outside but not beautiful enough to make me want to get out there. It's still coming down and collecting and really collecting :) Hopefully it will stop soon so we can actually go outside and enjoy the winter wonderland with Kavan who has his own little orange snowsuit :) In the meantime, our trip to CT was cancelled today - and may be tomorrow as well :/ Eek!

Will post pictures at day's end!

Woot Woot! My Brother is engaged!!

I am overrrr the MOON!! My brother asked his girlfriend to marry him and she said YES!!! I am soooo happy!! I am so happy for them and so happy for ME :) to be welcoming such an amazing young lady into our family as my sister :)) I've always wanted a sister. I kinda had one growing up with my brother (hehe, jab) but this is amazing. Her name is Devina and she is from New Delhi, India and she is just perfect for him. They've been dating for a while now and I've gotten to know her really well over the last few months. She is beautiful, intelligent, funny, loving, warm, sensible, and full of grace and so much more. I couldn't even imagine someone better for him. I love watching them together - how happy they seem, how much they joke and laugh and kid around with each other - that's exactly what my little brother needs! I love how real she is and how she keeps him in check! She has shown such compassion towards us losing our mom - after going thru so much pain over the last few years since our mom died, I just couldn't be more thrilled at this happiness that has found its way into my brother's life. They say everything happens for a reason and I am a firm believer!! Here are pics of the lovely couple:

And without further ado, I'd like to introduce CUPID himself. The one, the only, the reason these two beautiful people have come together - is SHIV. Shiv is a good old friend of ours since we were little kids.I remember always looking forward to his trips to the states with his brother and sister and amazing parents and loved playing all our silly games and antics. It just so happens he is the bride to be's neighbor and very good friend as well! You can't write this stuff! Shiv is an absolute sweetheart and doll - full of spirit, gusto, a hands down hysterical sense of humor and style like u wouldn't believe :) I keep trying to convince him to start his own blog - he would have such a following - I'm sure of it. Shiv, this is a public plea for u to please entertain us and put urself out there girlfriend! I'll be personally harping on u to do so until I see ur blog. Anyway, he has really done wonders by bringing these two lovely people together. It's like, after all these years, out of of nowhere, our little Shivvy Cupid fell from the heavens and made magic happen :) Shiv - this is a personal THANK YOU for bringing such happiness into their lives and mine by allowing this mama to regale in the party of this century - their wedding! As far as I'm concerned, their first born should be named after u. In the meantime, let's get ready for this wedding! Can anyone say - diet. GULP. Put that fork DOWN! Mwa! :) Here is the magic maker himself :)

Slippers Should Be Shoes :)

Seriously. It should be socially acceptable to wear slippers outside, like, in public - as SHOES. I know what I'm saying. I am the girl that used to live in cute heels and collected them like it was my job. Maybe I don't realize just how far I've fallen since I am now deep  in the trenches of life in sweats, no showers or makeup but cushioned in plenty of spitup and babyfood stains - yay! For the sake of all moms out there - ESPECIALLY - pregnant moms like urs truly, slippers in the winter should be an acceptable form of shoes. I'm really not sure why people stare so rudely when you're out in slippers. I can't believe I'm typing this because I used to joke that if ur out and about in sweatpants - u know, the kind that taper and cinch at the ankle - then it's a way of telling society u've given up :) hehe. Ummm not so funny now considering that my daily uniform is a pair of sweats, a tshirt, sweatshirt or fleece, cozy socks, a scrunchie of some sort and Comfy shoes. I try to make an effort. I do. I try to make sure I'm wearing cute sweatpeants, a flary variety to fight the frump or a snug shirt since I can while pregnant - the only time I don't have to suck in :) But I stop at the feet. That's where I draw the line. With my aching back this pregnancy and the blistery winter, I've got to have my feet comfy. 

The way I see it: there is a spectrum of slippers that will do and disguised under the right pant, it should be completely ok to be out in them. Some won't ladies. U've got to use ur own discretion! 

During my last pregnancy, as an attorney who worked fulltime and overtime mind you, I made sure I still wore heels to the office. Bad. Move. One day I literally slipped just a wee bit and went flying. I ended up being Ok and baby was ok but my back was BUSTED. I remember getting a lecture and tutorial on how different pregnant backs are and how careful I had to be from the chiropractor, the physical therapist, a physiatrist, the hubbigans and my dad. So the very next day I went out to DSW and scored a pair of slipper shoes. There are two aisles in that store where fancy slippers merge into different types of shoes and u can't tell what is what. What's a girl to do? Who are u going to ask? What is ok? The only thing my waddly achey preggo self was thinking was comfort, comfort, comfort - must find comfort. So I scored these beauties below!! I remember asking the cashier just as I was about to walk away - "Excuse me maam, are these slippers or shoes" and I know in my heart of hearts I heard her say "Slippers" - but I consciously chose to hear "SHOES. It's ok you poor thing, they're SHOES. U can wear them!" :) These babies have gotten me thru many a rough day. I even wore them to court. :) (sorry this is blurry but baby is napping and i finally get to sit down!)

Here is another pair for you. My MIL got them for me last year, god bless her sweet soul. I realized my slipper obsession when I hid them away to save for a rainy day (winter). I stumbled upon them this fall and acted like I struck Gold! How pathetic is that. I swear to god they are like big blankets wrapped around ur feet. They are SO good at what they do. They are undeniably SLIPPERS.... but not so clear to the outside eye. Can u tell? I think not. ESP not when ur wearing a wide legged sweat or jean that covers the white fluffy slipper part :) I advocate for these being considered SHOES!

When u get to this type of slipper with no extra reinforcement at the bottom for outdoor wear but only that cheap thin lining, u clearly don't care what people think. These are clearly hands down Slippers slippers slippers and even I, the strongest slippershoe advocate u'll meet, would say....girl, those are slippers - don't make them shoes.

Now when you get to this slipper, a cushy pink slipper flip flop and decide to go outside in them in the winter with or dare I say without socks on - admit it - stop running. U've given up and it's time. It's time for a spa day for mamma.

Obsessed with Home Decorating and DIY projects

In the last week or so, I've been put to the task of trying to envision every room for our new home. From scratch people! I am completely in over my head here and I'll be the first to admit it.

I've turned to the wonderful world of mommy blogging for some ideas and inspiration. All i have to say is - WOW!!! You ladies are IMPRESSIVE. I had no idea the amount of TALENT out there - how people literally get things for a steal at thrift shops and redo them to look more luxurious than u can ever imagine. This includes chairs, armoirs, tables, nightstands, dressers etc. The same thing applied to whole ROOMS - kitchens, living rooms, dens, bathrooms. A whole world out there of people who have refused to get ripped off paying for the same stuff they get in stores but instead doing it ALL by themselves, making it personal, making it just how they like it, even with a few imperfections - it's perfect and I can't imagine HOW satisfying.

I have now discovered the art of WAINSCOTING. Isnt that a cool word? What a perfect way to combine style and elegance - and apparently very easy to do? Genius i tell u! I never even heard of wainscoting before not to mention have no idea how to pronounce it properly. This whole house hunt and rennov going on has opened such doors!! I think we're going to attempt this ourselves and take it off of the long list of to dos for the contractors. Check these beautiful examples out:

So - I didnt know where to start or how to describe what I liked - all I would do is grunt at ideas the hubs ran by me to the point where the pressure started making me crankyyyy. I've learned that I'm clearly a visual learner and thinker and NEED pictures. I can't just go by how a contractor (complete stranger who doesnt know us or our style) would describe projects they can pull off. Not only is this super expensive but u've got to totally trust the end product which.... is not easy.

With the help of these moms and their wonderful blogs - hopefully I can somehow manage to put my own ideas to task and find exactly the look I'm going for. I'm RE-excited about this all over again. But in the meantime I will be obsessing over any and every picture of home decorating and rennovating out there!! This is all new to me but I am loving it so far :)

Some amazing Blogs I've spent loads of time on already:

• http://decor8blog.com/
• http://itsgreattobehome.net/design-services/
• http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/
• http://www.thenester.com/

I'd love to see any of ur projects if u have any!

Baked Spaghetti Pie Recipe

Bear with me on the format of this blog! I realize I created a TAB for recipes, but don't know how to actually post into a tab justttt yet. :) baby steps.....

In the meantime....here is a FAB recipe I tried just the other night. Yes, night - the time of the day when I'm absolutely exhausted and the last thing on my mind is putting a healthy dinner together. I usually try to prepare dinners during baby's naptime or throughout the week or on the weekend but this recipe was easy enough to assemble and was yummmy!! I got the recipe from the Family Circle May 2009 magazine. I changed it up a little bit. I nixed the olives which I dont like and instead of adding bacon (which Im not a fan of shockingly), I just broke up pieces of a turkey meatloaf I made the other night. Always love putting leftovers to use!!

Baked Spaghetti Pie:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees
2. Break spaghetti into thirds and cook 8 mins
3. Stir in 2 cups pasta sauce, 1 cup mozarella cheese, minced meat (of ur choice), and 4 eggs lightly beaten. Stir mixture.
4. Coat a casserole dish with cooking spray and sprinkle the inside of it with 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
5. Spoon the mixture into the Dish and bake at 350 degrees for 30 mins.
6. Take it out, top with some parmesan cheese and bake for another 10 mins
7. Cut it into wedges and serve away!

Image courtesy of google images (since i forgot to take a pic of mine!)

I have tabs - Now what?! :)

I'll be the first to admit how new blogging is to me and how lost I am --- but I am loving it and having fun! I am loving learning so much about this techie area that I know next to nothing about. I'm sort've teaching myself with online tutorials as I go along how to put this page together. The littlest thing like adding a counter to my blog gives me such a sense of satisfaction for days, I can't even tell ya :). If not now, then when right? It took me a few hours today but I was so pleased with myself for figuring out how to get the code into my html section thingie for TABS! real live TABS on my very own blog. I almost jumped out of my chair to see it work - like MAGIC.  Im such a dork but u have no idea what these little things mean to me! :)


Ok so....now that I have tabs, when I click on them, they take me nowhere - to a blank page. I don't know how to get material linked to my tabs - how do I post material in the tabs. Oh lordie. Looks like I need another tutorial but I prefer doing it this way versus hiring someone to just make it fancy. Maybe one day but I wanna learn from the ground up and what better opportunity than now?!

Just bear with me folks!!

That being said - does anyone know how to post stuff in ur tabs? ......