bollywood boudoir

So now that we are in the house, it is time to make it our own. We have already done a smidge of work in a few rooms but our priority is definitely getting our bedroom set up. While Dave and I were peeking around Pinterest one day, inspiration came in the form of a print of Lord Shiva, one of the holy trinity of gods of Hindu creation. My husband spent a semester in India as a student so his love for the culture runs deep. I started practicing yoga in high school and have always felt spiritually connected to the subcontinent of a billion - the colors, the spices, the faces and the servitude just dazzle me. So when Dave and I decided to get married, our first choice was to elope to India and have a traditional Hindu ceremony on the River Ganges. Well... that didn't happen for various reasons. So now we are looking forward to our first trip together this March - we will celebrate my 28th birthday on Holi while making the actual trip for Dave's 30th birthday present. While we are at it, we will renew our vows (better late than never!) and spend three days in Nepal.

Back to the bedroom.

Our bedroom, we decided, would the the perfect room to saturate in Indian patterns, textures and colors. How do we do it in genuine way, though? Without using cheap Pier One, Indian-style stuff from China? We agreed that color and pattern were going to be everything in this design challenge and that playing off one would light the spark to make the whole room burn in Bollywood bliss. So here's the spark - two Indian rugs that we picked up from Marshall's for $16.99. It is a start to our spicy Indian bedroom, hot pink and all.

a key to our hearts

Well, we are homeowners. We own a home. Four walls and everything in it is officially ours - not a creepy college renters, or an overpriced apartment tycoon. The home, on land, with trees, a garage and a wood stove - is ours.

Wow.

Closing was a little rocky due to a few over sights of our realtor, over sights that added a few new gray hairs to my collection, but all in all, it was just fine.
And now the overwhelming reality of unpacking, painting, staining, and buying furniture begins. But at this moment, the most important possession of all shines like it is made of pure gold. This little key is absolutely my favorite thing of all. For years to come, this is what lets me into my own little world - where Harper can slide across the hardwood floors as she chases her rubber artichoke, where Dave can relax our big comfy couch and watch football (go Ravens!) and where I can have a kitchen and catering pantry  where everything has its own special place.

Ahh ... home sweet home.

so you think you want to buy a house...

We are less than two days away from being homeowners and boy, does it feel strange. It will have been exactly 45 days since we first stepped through the door of our light yellow cape cod with its hardwood floors, two car garage and picture windows that look out into our private wooded backyard. It was love at first sight.
Buying a home really has been a trying process, mentally and emotionally. After looking at dozens of homes, the energy of our soon-to-be home was so electrifying that I wanted to wake up in it the very next day. The six weeks that followed felt like six months (well, that might be because we have been living in a hotel room...) and our anxiousness has been the source of fatigue and frustration. Now that we are counting down the hours, I've realized how far we've come on the journey of choosing the right first home, and I thought I'd share some pearls of wisdom.

Pearl 1: See a few houses THEN set you budget.

our custard-colored cape cod (with gray shutters and doors coming

 soon!

Yes, really. Don't come into buying a home with a rigid budget. We did, we were disappointed with the slim pickin's, we re-evaluated then bam!, we were writing a contract. I mean, everyone loves the idea of a $500 house payment each month, but just like in every other purchase, you get what you pay for. When we were trying to get a bargain, we realized that what we would have to put into a house wasn't worth the time, frustration and potentially disappointment. When moving to a new area like we did, we had no idea what $100,000, $250,000 or $1,000,000 could buy. Seeing the differences in price points can really offer a lot of prospective and unless you start a conversation with the bank ahead of time, you'll never know what a house price equates to in the form of a real monthly payment. Be flexible and balance the price tag with the location, amenities and your emotional connection with the home.

Pearl 2: Looks can be deceiving  

When you are looking online, keep this in mind: the sellers are always going to put up the best pictures - why wouldn't they? In true Mad Men style they do whatever they can to try to get your curiosity up so that you may want to visit the house in person and potentially sign on the dotted line. Camera angels, lighting, even digital editing can make an almost condemned home look like a pristine mansion (trust me, I know and oh what a nightmare it turned out to be!)
Just don't get your heart set on something without seeing it  in person first. Equally, don't count something out because of a hideous play room or an old-school oven - you can change that sort of thing. A home that has a great layout, a new roof and plumbing or awesome acreage is where the true value lives.

  Pearl 3: Find a realtor on your own

Don't get me wrong, our realtor worked for us and ultimately helped us get an incredible home at a stellar price. She did well. Just keep in mind that sometimes buying a home can take months, and that means that when the emotions get the best of you, the last thing you want is a realtor saying she has to cut the day short by six hours after you just drove three hours to meet her because she needs to get to a St. Patrick's Day party (yes, this happened....) Choosing your first home is a very unique experience, and you want a professional - someone that will be polite, patient and above all, honest. That is what we wanted, we just didn't get it. Ask around, research reputable Realtors and meet the realtor that you choose before you sign a non-compete agreement.

I really could go on and on - I have a gray hair now for every pearl of real estate wisdom I've gained. Take your time, be flexible, see the potential and enjoy the process - my husband and I didn't argue one bit during this process because we know each other, and even though our realtor didn't know us well, we sometimes did the work for her by ruling out certain layouts and seeing past the flowered wallpaper or blue counter tops. In the end, there was no compromising and I can say that next to our wedding day, getting the keys to our very own home will be one of our finest moments.

    Happy Home Buying!

for the love of lindsay: bunting

shades of green

Apart from preparing for my upcoming role of homeowner, I've also been looking forward for  another important role: bridesmaid.
My dear friend Lindsay and her wonderful fiance, Gianmi, are tying the knot on June 10th and I just couldn't be happier to experience the day as a bridesmaid, pretty in pink and ready to take in the beautiful bride.
Lindsay's bridal shower is the day before the wedding and it will be nothing short of elegant. Gold-rimmed china, seasonal flowers and locally-sourced food will dot a Chapel Hill area farm where the bride will be showered with gifts, love and a little bit of champagne. I am the caterer and while I will share the recipes of the day later on, I just had to share a little bit of crafting that will add a touch of whimsy to the elegant affair.
To me, bunting screams, "let's celebrate!" So with some paper that was reminiscent of vintage wall paper, linen ribbon and a handy pair of scissors I made NINETY feet of bunting to drape under the tent. It may not be a ticker tape parade, but I think it will make the bride-to-be smile as we celebrate her and her new life as a wife!

shade of pink

my mini

Harper, two months old

I am of the opinion that a house is not a home without an animal. For me, it has always been dogs but I know my heart is open to just about any animal. Give me an anteater and I will build it an anteater abode. Bring over a cow and by golly, I'll make room for it, utters and all. I just love animals - I love their innocence, their curiousity and the overall energy that they bring to a home - no matter if it is a fourth floor apartment or a rustic farm house.
So when we decided to buy our first home, the list of priorities quickly started stacking up:
A big kitchen for me, not only as a chef but as a die hard dinner party thrower.
A large space for a cozy couch and our big TV for Sunday Fundays - go Ravens
A beautiful master bedroom - a special space for just my husband and I - no TVs, no computers, just a place to relax and rest.
But what was the biggest priority? A backyard for our Miniature Schnauzer, Harper.
We rescued Harper from a woman in Tennessee that took in pups that were born in puppy mills and that didn't fit the ideal mold. She and her brothers and sisters were less than one pound, on the verge of contracting parvo, dying from neglect and just begging for a good home. I scooped up that little girl and took her to a veterinarian right away. She made it through the first week like a little trooper and as time went on she got stronger and started to show us her Schnauzerish  personality. Dave and I taught her how to eat solid food, and sometimes I still sit on the floor next to her food bowl and watch her eat. With every kibble crunched between her teeth, I go back to her fighting for her life to just get to some clean water. Four years later, I still tear up thinking about this sweet little thing being sentenced to death because she wasn't good enough.
To us, she is perfect.
So in less than a week, our girl gets a big backyard where she can run and play and dig and hide. Harper will get her own space where she can be a dog and I just couldn't ask for anything more. Seeing her basking in the summer sun or playing in the snow, it will be what makes this new house our home.

the old line state

Welcome back.

Well, welcome to the clever cape cod for you, but welcome back to Maryland for this family of 2.25 - a black and tan miniature Schnauzer accounts for the decimal.

After four years in the Carolinas, this born and bred Marylander is back and making home on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. So join me, my husband and Harper as we enter the exciting world of homeownership. From do-it-yourself home improvement and homemade meals to constructing a chicken coop and enjoying the bounties of a local CSA, we will blog it all - the good, the bad and the clever.

Welcome to our clever cape cod!