Popping In to Say "Hi!"

Hello friends,

I hope you are enjoying your long weekend. We have just wrapped up the second of two very fun grandparent visits and many a house project. Collin was, again, showered with fun gifts and we, of course, enjoyed having extra hands around the house. I will say, however, that slowing down a bit this weekend and just laying low as a family is exactly what the doctor ordered. We are pooped!

Thought I'd throw up a few fun pics of life around our home, as of late. I'll let you know right now that I'm not anticipating the energy to do any more blogging until later this week. I'm sure you're all off on mini-vacations or tackling projects yourselves. :)

Finally got our vintage pull down, school map up on the living room wall. This was a steal on Ebay and it really does solve the problem of what to put up on a ginourmous wall! Seeing as how it's a US map, not much has changed geography-wise and I feel myself getting smarter just by sitting under it every day;)

Collin's slide fort from my parents. He loves hiding in it mostly. Going down the slide still takes a bit of coaxing, but we'll get there. :)

Finally, I think this photo is the sweetest example of Collin's love for all of his animals. He sleeps with at least six stuffed buddies every night and is so darn cute with them. Here he is, wrapping up Peter Rabbit like a baby in a kitchen towel. 

Enjoy your time off, friends!

Please Tell Me If I Am Becoming a Creeper...

This Saturday, Nick was so good to watch Collin all morning so I could have some much needed independence. Any other stay at home moms out there who can relate to how amazingly freeing it feels to do something simple like running to Target without kids? No carseat battles, no trying to figure out what they can play with to keep them entertained long enough in the shopping cart, no unexpected diaper changes in public restrooms. Yeah, it's pretty luxurious, I tell ya. I absolutely love staying home with Collin, but can't help but wish I had truly savored my carefree days a bit more! 

I had the best morning out-- armed with a grande, non-fat Caramel Machiatto, I spent some time getting lost in a local antique mall. Soon you will see my fun finds displayed in our new house. I scored a pair of crosstiched, silhouette cameos of George and Martha Washington, a kitchshy wall plate for my planned wall of plates in the kitchen and for $2 a crumbly, old, hand-painted Kodak finishing sign which I took to Hobby Lobby for framing. I then ran a few errands and stopped off at the library to see what I could find out about our old house.

I met the sweetest old man named John who is in charge of the reference section. Although there was no specific information on the house itself in city records, he did show me how to search through the old city directories which started in 1925 and yielded me a long list of previous owners. In some of the earlier directories the owners' occupations were listed as well.

Turns out, our house was home to the former Assistant to the President and General Manager of Eagle Picher Lead Co., the Secretary Treasurer of R and S Motor Sales Co, and an Episcopal Minister, whom my new friend John knew of from back in the 70's.

I'm hoping to get back to the library some time soon to look through newspaper archives for any of these residents. Now that I have names, I can search the census data and find out the names of their children-- many of them should still be living. How cool would it be to invite some previous residents over for dinner?! Maybe I'm being too much of a creeper here. Please intervene if you think I'm going to far!

Before I left the library, I thumbed through a book on American house styles and while I really don't think our house is a Federal style home, it does seem to have a Federal style door like this one:

See our door here:

Hmm... I feel as if our house has identity issues. Craftsman? American Foursquare? Federal? Maybe if we can meet some of its previous owners, they could give us some insights as to whether or not it was built this way or later altered. The mystery continues!

Saturday night we were invited to a dinner at Nick's boss' house. It was neat to meet the team Nick works with, including their spouses. Collin, of course, was a totally ham. He loves people, like his mamma! What a great group. I look forward to getting to know them better. 

On Sunday we braved the morning weather for church. 'Twas a snowy Palm Sunday in Missouri. I really do hope Easter won't look like this! My brother, who is doing a grad program near Springfield, will be driving out to join us for the day. Fun, fun!

We received word today that we'll more than likely close on the house this Wednesday afternoon! Although our stuff will take a while longer to get here, we'll at least be able to start working on a few projects-- including painting. Lots to look forward to. Stay tuned, dear friends!

You May Call Me Sleuthy McSleutherton

Hi friends! After soliciting your thoughts on our new old house's style in my last post, my awesome, house-buff friend Deb, suggested it might be an American Foursquare house with craftsman details. This led me to do a bit of research and I think she is right.

If you look at what we now consider the front entrance to the house, you'll see some of the classic American Foursquare details, including the two up, two down window placement configuration and the dormer. It does not have, however, the classic Foursquare or even Craftsman Bungalow front porch. Hmm...

Here are a few pictures of the American Foursquare homes:

A modern-day shot of a Foursquare (not our house):

Here is Wikipedia's description of the style: 

"The American Foursquare or American Four Square is an American house style popular from the mid-1890s to the late 1930s. A reaction to the ornate and mass-produced elements of the Victorian and other Revival styles popular throughout the last half of the 19th century, the American Foursquare was plain, often incorporating handcrafted "honest" woodwork (unless purchased from a mail-order catalog). This style incorporates elements of the Prairie School and the Craftsman styles. It is also sometimes called Transitional Period."

I love this quote:

After looking at our house from the side entrance/sunroom enclosed porch, I have become more and more convinced it's just a modified American Foursquare. Take a look and let me know your thoughts:

The previous owner was only in the house for two years and either doesn't know or doesn't see the value in passing along any tidbits about the house's history. We know the house is from the 20's, but don't even know the exact year it was built. In the seller's disclosure she wrote "80-something years old..." For all we know it could be older... For all we know it could have been the scene of a great murder mystery! Sorry, Nick and I have been watching Foyle's War on Netflix, so I'm kind of obsessed with mysteries these days. I'll have to make a trip to the library to check out the public records.

In the meantime, I have already done a bit of sleuthing and found out some cool facts about our house. Nerd alert: I feel the need to tell you I have spent much too much time the Historic Joplin website and am even considering volunteering at next year's Murphysburg Historic District Christmas Dickens' Festival and/or quite possibly becoming the only Historical Society member under the age of 65, but I digress...

Apparently, a prominent bean broker (didn't know there was such a thing) by the name of Fon L. Johnson was one of the home's early residents. Oh, and our neighborhood's name is Roanoke, but it's also called Snob Hill because it was home to all the wealthy Joplinites back in the day.

Once we move in, I'll snap some shots of the walls of the basement stairwell, which were wallpapered back in the 1940's with magazine ads and pin-up girls. Scandalous! Maybe some strategic poster placement is in order.

All this talk of history and intrigue begs-- nay, demands, a five second homage to Nicolas Cage and National Treasure-- the most historically accurate and riveting thriller of all time:

That's all for today. I sense the end of Collin's nap time is nigh!

If you missed the interior pictures of the house, check them out here.

Aqua.. I Just Can't Get Enough

If you haven't figured out that aqua is my favorite color by now, then I must put all doubts to rest and tell you it is...

For all these reasons and more:

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With my bridesmaids on May 30th, 2009. It's almost our 2nd anniversary!

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Not trying to toot my own horn here, I just love this lamp in my shop so much. The main reason? It's aqua:)

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Fresh Upcycling Ideas for Your Home

It's been a while since I've featured some upcycled decor ideas. Behold this fresh crop of inspiration!

 In honor of the Kentucky Derby this weekend: Recycled Map Prize Ribbon by Etsy seller saratops, $15

Here is a tutorial on how to make your own prize ribbons!

 

An uncycled headboard, made of books. This takes reading in bed to a whole new level! (source)

An antique crab pot turned into a message board. Genius. (source)

Delightful Recycled Drinking Glasses (made of soda bottles!) by Etsy seller YAVAglass, $8 each

A $5 Find

So, a few months back I found this painting at a thrift shop for $5! It's pretty old... I'm guessing, based on the wear and style of its subject's clothing, from the 40's or 50's. I finally had a chance to get it framed and I think it makes a lovely addition to our office/reading nook/sun room. If this looks like the work of a famous artist, that I am not aware of, please let me know;) Also, I feel like she needs a name... Suggestions are appreciated!

Mobiles... Not Just for Babies Anymore!

That's right folks! What looks more fun and fresh than a cute mobile to birghten up a dreary corner of your home? Here are a few that have me inspired:

Love Birds Mobile by Etsy seller annjoyce, $22

Cloud Mobile Sky Blue by Etsy seller madeleinesargent, $50

Hanging Paper Comic Book Mobile by Etsy seller bookity, $24.50

The Retro Trees Felt Mobile by Etsy seller mollyannemake, $45

Vintage Inspired Fans

We have had 18+ days of temps in the 90's here in Georgia. That includes high humidity... sending our heat index through the roof. What better to write about today than fans? I understand that their sole purpose is to cool you down, but can they not be attractive too? I've found a number of vintage inspired and otherwise attractive looking numbers to keep you chilled when the weather's not!

The Deco Breeze Fan in burnt orange at CSN Lighting, $50

The Otto Floor Fan by Swizz Style, available on Amazon, $199

The Allaire Desk Fan from Restoration Hardware, $99

Metro Fan in red by Hunter, on sale for $39

Paint by Number Walls

I've said it before, I'll say it again. I love vintage paint by number paintings. They are so kitschy and ironic. What I love even more is a whole wall of PBN's! Check out these lovely shots for inspiration!

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Patriotic Pretty

I have just made my 200th sale in Mostaza Seed's Etsy shop with 100% positive feedback. Woohoo! I'm thrilled about reaching this milestone!

In other news, Fourth of July is just around the corner. I'm dreaming of strawberry rhubarb pie and blueberry pie, and well... any flavor of pie I suppose:) Back to rhubarb, I want to plant some in my garden, but wondering if now is a good time to do so. Maybe it's too late for this year or maybe it doesn't do well in these parts (I live in Georgia and it has been summerlike for almost three months now). I'll have to do some research. If you have any advice, I'd greatly appreciate it.

I'd like to share some of the festive shots and items that have me craving pie, of course:)

Vintage 4th of July Napkin Holder, DIY here.

Raspberry-Rhubarb Pie, recipe here.

Perfect overnight bag for the 4th weekend from J.Crew, $36.50

Corn on the Cob Cupcakes from the book Hello Cupcake! How clever and cute!

A great DIY bottle toss game! source

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Vintage Red Imperial Mark XII Camera from Etsy seller backpedalvintage, $38

Quick Cheese Fondue recipe and 14 more

yummy appetizers from Sunset. My mouth is watering!

  

Spring Bag by Etsy seller loveanddream, $30

Constellation Prize Dress from ModCloth, $64.99

For the guestroom! Vintage Chenille Bedspread from Etsy seller 2nuttygirlz, $75

Champion Jute Linnen Sneakers by Keds, $45

Check out this sweet DIY to make festive pinwheels.

 

Cheap and utilitarian 5 Gallon Galvanized Drink Bucket, $14

Vintage Plastic BBQ Apron from Etsy seller goodandplenty, $6.50

Love the colorful mix of paper lanterns. No need to be matchy-matchy! source

 

Vintage Little Croquet Set from Etsy seller accessoryaddiction, $32