Find me on Bloglovin

Being the lifelong procrastinator that I am, it makes sense that I waited six hours before Google Readers retires to switch over to Bloglovin.  Nonetheless, you can find me here!

And in case you missed my previous post, I'm also now on Instagram.  Find me @allisonsprinkles.

Two technology updates in one week...sheesh, this might be a record for me :)

I'm on Instagram!

After years of having a private Instagram account (as in I didn't tell a soul my username and only used the app for the filters), I have finally gotten my Instagram act together!  You can find me @allisonsprinkles.  I would love it if you would pop over and say hello!  Also, if you have any favorite Instagram accounts for me to follow (think: stylish peeps, pretty food, cute animals, insane celebs) please leave them in the comments below :)

Happy weekend yall!

Home Sweet Home

This post could more accurately be titled home "what were we thinking, this is so stressful, house renovations have taken over our lives, but we are thrilled" sweet home.  But then again, that just doesn't have the same ring to it :)

We closed on our house less than two months ago, moving in just under a month ago.  Since the day we closed, it has been a mad dash to get the house ready.  We have done a ton of renovations, and when I stop to think about it, it's really quite impressive.  Matt has certainly carried the weight of the reno, and though there have been some bumps along the way, I'm pretty impressed with all he has been able to do.

When Matt and I started dreaming about buying a house, we never really wanted a brand new, move in ready house.  We really wanted something that we could put our stamp on and make our own.  And while there have been times during the past two months when I've cursed that philosophy, I think this path will allow Matt and me to create something really special together.  And to give you a peek into just how much we've done in the past two months, here's a list of some of the things we've done...

*Painted every single room in the house.  We went with various shades of grey; it's really light and airy!
*Had the hardwoods professionally refinished.  They are beautiful, and were definitely the hidden gem of this house!
*Completed gutted the kitchen.
*Installed new honey, shaker-style cabinets that we got for a steal at our local ReStore.
*Had the plumbing completely replaced all throughout the house.  Who knew copper could be so beautiful?
*Had quartz countertops installed.  Sometimes I just stand in the kitchen and stare at them.  I love them.
*Replaced the kitchen subfloor and laid porcelain tile.  It looks like cararra marble!
*Replaced the bathroom subfloor and laid porcelain tile.
*Replaced the bathroom vanity.
*Replaced the toilet.  Just what I wanted to spent my money on lol.
*Replaced the front door and painted it a pretty bright blue.
*Took down some awful wall to wall green curtains and put up light and airy floor length curtains.
*Got all new stainless steel appliances.
*Cleaned out the garage and created a cool workspace for Matt.
*Took down an awful 70s wallpaper mural in the hallway.  We're going to replace it with a gallery wall!
*Scrubbed all the tobacco and tar off of the sunporch, as the previous homeowners clearly loved to chain smoke and barbeque on their patio.  Matt claimed that this was the worst project of them all!
*Installed an oversized copper pendant light fixture in the dining room.
*Painted the pantry door with chalkboard paint.  I can't wait to start scribbling!
*Majorly renovated the old (and falling down) DIY sunporch that the previous owners thought was a good idea.  Matt's dad came in town to help with this one, and boy did the two of them do a good job!
*Cleaned up the forest that was the backyard.  Overgrown does not even begin to describe its previous state.

 

As I reread this list, I have to admit, I'm pretty impressed with our work!  Renovating a home, while working full time, studying for my licensure exam, and applying for jobs probably wasn't the best idea, but nonetheless, we've survived.  There is certainly a ton more to do, but it feels so good to go to bed and wake up every morning in our very own house.  It's not perfect, but its ours, and for that, I'm so grateful.