Home Office Update {does the rug match the drapes?}

Crude...I know, I had to!  I'm still not done with the home office, but here is another shot with the 3 main inspirations with the room.

Walls ~ Sherwin Williams Gray Shingle 

Rug ~ Eastern Colors by Alliyah

Available at Overstock or Horchow

Pine Cone Hill Chambray Linen Panels in Flax

This is what the room looked like last month: Hutton Home Office

I love how the warmth in the rug and curtains play against the richness of the walls and the faux-leather futon.  The room just pops when you walk in there.  I have so much more to do, and in time it will be complete.

Here are some inspiration pins that I am working on....

Source: ballarddesigns.com via Traci on Pinterest

Source: ballarddesigns.com via Traci on Pinterest

Both wall pockets are from Ballard Designs, because doesn't most of your inspiration come from Ballard?!

I picked up a bronze-y multiple wall pocket at Burlington Coat Factory (go figure) for a 1/4 of the price of Ballard.  Once we have a temperate day, I plan to spray paint it black.

Source: gardenberger.blogspot.com via Traci on Pinterest

Source: summerfielddesign.wordpress.com via Traci on Pinterest

I am scouting out vintage maps on eBay to frame myself.  Looking for NYC; will take anything that's pretty and that I've been to...San Fran, Chicago, Philly.  You get it.  Urban. Sexy.  You know because homework and paying bills is sexy, but mama wanted a grown-up room.  Like the chosen few featured on Selling NY. {Do you not want to buy/rent & live in nyc for just a year of your life, we should all be so lucky}. Okay, I got off track.

After that....

Figure out lighting 

{I want a chandelier}

Get a laptop i.e. get rids of miles of cords & wires

{Our current PC is old & sounds like a freight train}

Perfect a homework station

...and after that, it will be Spring.  Time to start on the outside!

Thanks for visiting!!

Thoughts on Monday {Damn Sandy & Polar Plunge}

2+ years ago I did one of my "Homes I Love" posts on this gorgeous beach front home.  You can see the original post here:  Homes I Love ~ Normandy Beach

It was a charming, sweet shore home.  If I remember correctly, it was on the market for $1.4, $1.5 million, and sold furnished.

Now this home is for sale, structure only - to be picked up and moved to the lot of your choice for $175,000.  

Another hurricane Sandy casualty...

On a brighter note...

My husband completed his Polar Bear Plunge '13, raising over $1,000 for the Special Olympics.  It was rainy, damp and about 44 degrees which wasn't too bad compared to 2012's 23* and snow.

Historically held in Seaside Heights, NJ, the plunge was relocated to a town about 40 minutes north.  There was a lower turnout than normal {nothing is normal now}, but they still raised over a million dollars!

Kind of how you feel the next day when your breakfast consists of Bloody Mary's and Jameson-spiked coffee.  Not really, just thought this was hysterical...(but that was our breakfast on Saturday)

Plunge supporters.  I'll pledge, I don't plunge.

Braveheart theme.  Congrats to my husband, friends and coworkers who completed yet another year!

Thanks for visiting ~ have a great week!

Sneak Peek

I got her done! Multiple coats covering up that darn border.  Not an easy task with a 3 and 8-year old underfoot.  But candy bribes on the hour really work...

Full-on pics when she's accessorized!

Thanks for visiting!

If you must....

Be snowed in, be productive!  Major room redo happening this weekend, although I think we will be spared Nemo's wrath on the Jersey Shore.  I have all the stuff to do it, just need the drive... We shall see! 

Here's what I'll be working on:

I will be a better bill-payer, record-keeper, digital mama with this room redone.  I hate the current wall color and border more than brussel sprouts and Mariah Carey.  

Stay tuned and have a fabulous weekend!

Thanks for visiting!

Mexican Chicken Parm

Or salsa chicken. Or weeknite goodness. Whatever you want to call it, it's freakin' awesome plus easy to make.

Mexican Chicken Parm

4 Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breasts

2 Cups of Medium Salsa + Some for Later

1 Cup Reduced Fat or FF Finely shredded Mexican Cheese Blend

Salt & Pepper

Garlic Powder & Paprika

FF Sour Cream & Guacamole

Marinate the chicken in 1 cup of salsa for 6+ hours, "mushing" it around from time to time.  Preheat oven to 375.  Place chicken in baking dish and sprinkle with freshly ground S & P and garlic.  Spoon on additional salsa.  Bake for 35 minutes and remove from oven.  At this point add cheese to your taste, I used a 1/4 cup per breast.  Sprinkle with paprika and broil for 5 minutes.  Let rest for a few minutes and serve. I served this with Arroz con Pollo, FF sour cream and guacamole.

This was super delicious and yet again my best recipes come from cleaning out the fridge and pantry.

Sorry for the hot mess photos...

Thanks for visiting!!

 

This picture...

Just makes me happy.  Icicle Lights & Rosemary.

Hope everyone is feeling well this post-Superbowl Monday. Have a fabulous week ~ Thanks for visiting!

Thoughts on Thursday

Father/Son Bonding....If y'all even knew what they were looking at on the phone.  Flatulence videos.  Oh my gosh, I am so outnumbered, boys will be boys!

See the new curtains in the background...used my Pottery Barn gift card wisely.  The 63" panels are still on sale, check them out here: Elene Palampore Linen Sheers.

Winds were so bad here last night that we lost power and I woke up just as I was supposed to be getting into work.  That kinda sleeping in is not restful....

So excited for Friday.  We are going to our favorite Bar & Grille The Crabs Claw who is opening up for the first time since Hurricane Sandy.  It's going to be awesome and probably standing room only.  Holla!

I'm getting tons of hits on my Food & Recipe Pinterest Board and this blog post... Crack Bread.  I'm not even sure yet what I'm bringing to the Superbowl party we are attending.  It won't be that!  Too addictive...

I've been rolling along with my NY Resolutions.  Down 7 pounds, being kinder, not sweating the small stuff and organizing my house room by room and closet by closet.  I'm hoping I can knock my February goals outta the park!

Thanks for visiting ~ Have a fabulous weekend!