Year One

This post is a few days late, but as of last weekend we have officially lived in our house a year. Although I feel like progress has been really slow, it's nice to look back on here to see what we have accomplished since then. I had big dreams that we'd at least have replaced the old, brown carpet upstairs with wood floors, but between a wedding, two full-time jobs, and the pup -- it's still on the to-do list. 

Speaking of lists, here are the top five things I'd like to accomplish in the next year:

1) Upgrade the exterior of our complex including getting rid of the dry rot that plagues all the trim

2) Replace our windows with new double-pane ones

3) Replace the carpet upstairs with hardwood 

4) Install overhead lighting in both bedrooms and living room

5) Completely redo the downstairs half-bath

In my head that sounds like a completely reasonable list but it will be interesting to look back next year at this time to see what has been done. I have been really good about reigning it in lately but the fact that our neighbors just listed their unit that is the same size our as ours for $115k above what we paid last year gives me confidence that any time and money we do put into this place will be worth it in the end.

//one//

Dreaming of a Statement Bed

First let me give you some background.... my darling husband is a lot of things - romantic, kind, funny, handsome (you get the idea) but one thing he is Not is decisive. Sometimes when we decide to go out to dinner we actually never make it out the door due to the indecisiveness that goes on in our household which is why I was completely blown away on Saturday when we were in and out of the mattress store within an hour with a brand-new king bed!

We'd been talking about getting a new bed for a while but with the wedding and everything we figured we would have to wait until Christmas but that timeline got accelerated when Mike started waking up at night with horrible back pain that wasn't there at all during the day. Combine that with one very fidgety 12-pound dog, and we have all been sleeping terribly.

Our new Tempurpedic got delivered on Sunday and wow, it is amazing even in all it's firmness (they take a few weeks to soften up). Just the real estate on a king sized bed is enough to make me giddy. I mean, Goose still insists on snuggling next to me but at least I can stretch my arms and legs out without throwing an elbow into Mike's side. Although we are all sleeping much better, having the mattress on the ground is a little too "college house" for me.

I was browsing for a new bed frame and when I was trying to define what I want, all I kept thinking was I wanted a "statement bed." I mean, there are statement necklaces / purses / shoes so why not a bed? I love looking at rooms that are verily neutral aside from one great piece of furniture and since our bedroom has beautiful lofted ceilings, I say why not? Mike might not be totally on board (yet) but he will come around.

So far, at the top of my list is this beauty from West Elm. I've always wanted a wingback headboard and those cute little legs put the finishing touch on it.

Next up is the Architecture Bed from Room and Board. A modern twist on the four-poster bed that would fit nicely with our tall ceilings. The only thing I am worried about with this one is its lack of a head board.

And finally, there is this tufted, wingback bed from All Modern. At $836 it is the best price and comes in a few different colors. Since Mike's main complaint with the West Elm one is that he doesn't like having a footboard, this could be a great option for us.

What do you guys think? Am I the only one that is seriously crushing on an upholstered sleigh bed with a mid-century modern twist?

Have you Heard?

We're married!!

Just typing those two words brings me such joy. The weekend was a fairy tale filled with so much love I don't think I'm ready to process it into words yet.

We got back from Tahoe on Monday afternoon and Mike went back to work today signaling the start of our new normal. I knew I'd need a little time to float back from Cloud 9 and am easing myself back into daily life today slowly starting with my inbox (!).

I will definitely be sharing more details of the event when we get our pictures back but for now I just wanted to stop in and say hi. I can't wait to re-focus my attention on our home & am so in love with my new (official) family.

Back to (almost) Normal

Oh, hello there. Long time, no post. Taxes were calling my name and they aren't keen on sharing.

I won't bore you with the details of my day to day but let's just say that I'm happy that I most likely will never have to fill out another 1040 (besides my own) as long as I live. I'm not quitting my job or anything but will mainly be focusing on Corporate tax from now on. Corp tax has a 'busy season' as well but it's less hectic than individual tax as we are working year-round to figure out taxable income. If you ever have a case of insomnia, come ask me about book-to-tax differences and I'll sure to bore you to sleep.

I ended up taking Thursday and Friday off last week for my best friend's wedding which was absolutely amazing and beautiful. I used to think that there really wasn't much difference between being engaged and married if you already share housing/finances/a dog but there is something magical about promising yourself to another person for life in front of a hundred people.

Speaking of weddings, July 19th is coming up fast. I'm definitely looking forward to it but will feel a little relieved when there isn't a list a hundred lines long of things left to do. I am trying to live more in the present but in truth I'm more looking forward to the wedding being over so Mike and I can carry-on being husband and wife.

Well now that you are updated on my life since I last posted, I'm excited to share with you some little updates we've been doing between all the craziness. It's funny that no matter how much life throws at us, we still find time to visit Home Depot (sometimes twice in one day!).

//one//

It's That Time of Year Again

Noticed I've been a little MIA lately? You're not the only one. Creative projects are sitting half-done and the only love the house gets these days is a 15 min. pick up in the morning. Yep, it's Tax Season!

I work for a Big 4 accounting firm and in this Valley, the bulk of our business are public corporations (which means our actual busy season is July/August since the extended due date for Corps is Sept. 15th). However, all tax campus hires are required to get 600 hours in four of the seven areas of tax and since I got 450 hours in my individual tax 'bucket' last season, I wound up signing up with that group again this year. Do I love individual tax? No. Actually do I love being a tax accountant at all? Not really.

My job does have it's perks. The firm is great, I work with some really kind and brilliant people, the pay is not bad, there is a lot of swift and structured upward mobility, and I am free to do what I want as long as my charge-ability stays above a certain % and I produce work at the level one would expect from a Big 4. I have always been a nerd and there are times I get a kick out of understand a body of knowledge not many other people do, but they dryness of numbers and the tax code takes it out of me. I crave creativity but can't deny that I have a knack for what I do and the praise I get feels good.

I found this article on the blog of a graphic designer I admire and although she wrote it a few years ago, I love what she has to say. The post is "On Being You" which requires three things:

1) Find your niche
2) Do what you love. Delegate the rest.
3) Design your life.

I encourage you to click on over to her full article but these three things got me thinking. What is my niche? It would be a waste to abandon accounting completely but I want to find a way to incorporate what I've learned into something that inspires me.

I asked Mike the other day if he really likes the day-to-day details of his job and he said not really... but he believes in the Company and likes his boss/co-workers. I know the grass is not always greener on the other side, but I feel like if I worked for a company that produced a product or service I was passionate about, it might be a good middle ground.

If I could "design my life" it would include me being my own boss, working with passionate people who value creativity and beauty, and supporting entrepreneurs - especially women who take a chance on their dreams to set up their own shop.

What do you think? If you could "design your life" what would that look like?

Happy Valentine's Day

This year Mike and I will probably end up spoiling Goose way more than each other. That pup has stolen our hearts! Since we are all pretty busy at work today (including Goose... he goes to work with Mike but whether napping all day is considered 'work' is debatable), we are celebrating Valentine's Day tomorrow with a long hike and wine/chocolate pairings in the evening.

How about you? Anything special planned or do you purposely veto Valentine's Day as a made-up holiday?