I'm no Van Gogh...

Painting is a nightmare.

Spent the entire weekend painting only 2 rooms...and now it looks like a funhouse. Small rooms with limited lighting can not handle bold colors. I know better.

My original color scheme has proven to be too dark (and for some reason, on the walls, the colors look much more florescent!):

So, as much as I've tried to avoid the pastels, I think my new color scheme will go better with my small little bungalow:

Taking ownership of my house came with a load of possibilities. Why then is it so stressful?

Plums anyone?...

Apparently its plum season, judging by the amazing tree in my new backyard! Look at those gorgeous things! Yup, this is why you all will be receiving plum jam, plum pies, prunes, and plum wine for every birthday, every Christmas, and every other gift-giving-worthy holiday in the coming year!

...oh...and I have a lemon tree too...and a fig tree...and an apple tree...and a persimmon tree...but none quite as impressive as that plum tree! I own all those trees and the fruit growing on them! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???!!!

Welcome...

...home.

Let the headaches, the near-poverty, the repairs, and the utter-JOY and satisfaction of ownership begin.

Come on in...take a load off...can I offer you some lemonade? :)

I thought the buying process was overwhelming. Getting the keys and opening the door for the first time as owner...understanding that every little thing that goes wrong with this place is your responsibility...wanting with all your heart to make it your dream home...fearing the financial ramifications attached to it...

When does the peace settle in? Well, I haven't moved in yet (not until mid-July...renovations...) Maybe then?

Yay and *le sigh*...all at the same time...

There will be living done in this room...

Utilizing my VERY LIMITED Photoshop skills, I finally decided on a decor for my living room. I've always liked the mid-century modern sofas with the squared off arms and tufted cushions. But, I didn't want to do my whole living room in Eames chairs and Danish tables. I think this is a happy compromise. This sofa from ZGallerie has the look I want but with more of a contemporary feel. I can see myself being happy in this room... :)

Moving on...

Here's my own personal recipe for getting over a break up:

1. Buy a house, preferably one that needs fixing. So all your attention can be poured into it. You can stress, obsess, and fret over this instead of your new ex.
2. Work at a job you love. You can spend hours at the office thinking of ways to do your job better and to make everyone else's jobs better too. It's a great way to feel productive and successful.
   
3. Immerse yourself in mindless television so you have something to look forward to at night. I'm choosing "So You Think You Can Dance", "Top Chef Masters", and "Design on a Dime" for my viewing pleasure.
4. Choose 1 friend to tell the entire sordid story to (thanks, Martin) and then don't talk about it again...at least not in detail, only generalities: "We were too different", "Just not the right timing", etc.
5. Buy a really kick-ass pair of boots (yes, I gave in...I had to)
6. Eat really good food...either homemade or out with the girls (Le Colonial tonight)...and then...
   
7. Exercise your ass off (literally)...and your tummy, and your backfat, and your slapper (under arm swing...)
8. Don't be afraid of the weekend. Remember how it used to be "MY" time for months before it became "OUR" time.
9. Fall asleep each night to Conan O'Brien...he'll never let you down.
10. Let yourself cry every now and again and remind yourself that you're gonna be ok.
    

Now, this recipe may not work for everyone (hee!), but so far so good for me...I'm doing ok. I really, really am...


PS - NO getting drunk. NO sappy love songs. NO sweats or ugly outfits for at least 2 weeks... :)

I want these so badly...

...I love these booties that Jessica Szohr (Vanessa on Gossip Girl) is wearing. And since my new Money Pit commitments do not allow for me to do the requisite "retail therapy" any girl fresh from a break-up should be doing, I will just sit here and covet them...and her legs...and her smokin' body in that dress for that matter...and feel the pain just a little bit deeper in my broken heart.

Anyone know who makes these shoes and where I can find them? (Not to buy...just to take a closer look at...I swear...but, who needs a new refrigerator or washer/dryer anyway...right?)

Bummer...

Ack. Sooo...

GQ and I broke up this weekend. Y'know...his mommy issues, our vastly different lifestyles & interests, the stress of my homebuying process, his lack of sports knowledge, my disdain for reggae music...big things, little things...

I could make a long list of reasons, but I'd rather not dwell. I'll do enough obsessing in the coming days, I'm sure...

In my weak moments, I freak out about being single again. I freak out about having just bought a home that "needs work" and not having my former-carpenter boyfriend around to help. I freak out about moving to Berkeley when single life is best served in the city.

But in my strong moments, I remember that I do pretty well when I'm single. I remember that my home has "good bones" and some of the DIY projects I'll take on will be challenging, fun, and rewarding. I remember that there's fun to be had and a life to be lived in Berkeley as well.

I think mostly, I'll just miss him.

So, I busted out my "go to" lunchbag when times get tough...and I remind myself again that LIFE IS GOOD. Indeed.

What a treat...

I bought this Mischen dress today (yes, on gilt groupe!). I love it. And now...I'm going to make my boyfriend take me somewhere funky, hip, and fancy so I have a place and occasion to wear it. If not, I'll be forced to wear it to jury duty. Either way, IT WILL BE WORN!

On a lighter note...

GQ and I went to the Exploratorium yesterday. What a surefire way to be energized, inspired, and to feel like a kid again! I had such a great time! (and so happy to finally have the scaffolding off of the outside, restored to all its glory!)

Highly recommended for an afternoon of fun!

Atrocious...

This...

...is the worst, most annoying movie character of all time. Trust me on this. Gennifer Goodwyn's "Gigi" on "He's Just Not That Into You" was like nails on a chalkboard. I hate her. I hate what she stands for. And I hate that this movie tries so hard to make her seem like what woman "really are" and instead made a cringe-worthy embarrassment to females worldwide.

In fact, the whole cast and the whole movie was ridiculous.

Thanks for ruining my first class flight...I knew I should've chosen "Doubt" instead...probably less infuriating, offensive, and depressing of a movie...