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Casual Friday: May 19, 2017

May 19, 2017

We believe we should all love where we live.

We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here. 

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We’ve been dreaming of purchasing a small cabin in the mountains for over two years now and for the last 9 months, we have been actively looking at properties. Our ideal is something on the small and cozy size that is surrounded by trees, needs a little TLC, has winter access, and one that we could rent out when we’re not using it. This week, we found her. Or we thought we did. It was the perfect size, at just under 1200 square feet. And each of the three bedrooms had windows with trees out every one. Just as we were ready to make an offer, our realtor discovered this cabin couldn’t be rented out due to the area covenants. It’s hard to get so excited about something and then have it not work out. Even now, days later, I’m still naively holding out hope that something will change. But on the other hand, even though it’s hard to imagine now, I know that this means there’s an even better one out there waiting for us. The search continues! In the meantime, if you’re into cabin-y decor (or how we are getting inspired to one day decorate in the style) I’ve been a pinning machine right hereannnddd we might have subscribed to Mountain Living.

More fun things this week!

• I fell hard for this inlay side table from Anthropologie a couple weeks ago and then stumbled upon this very similar one from Pier 1 for a fraction of the price! Had to share it with you!

• What are your favorite kinds of Instagram Stories to follow? @JennyKomenda is tackling a complete home renovation and I love seeing all the progress–even if we’re only in the demo phase right now. I also strangely love it when someone goes into a Target or Container Store or World Market and shows me all the awesome, affordable things to buy–Haha.

• Speaking of InstaStories, I shared a couple days ago that I had cleaned our globe lights in the kitchen–something I do quarterly. I had so many messages about how I do it–and it’s so easy. It takes, literally, 5 minutes. I just remove the glass globes, wash them with regular dish soap and water, dry them inside and then out with a non-shedding dish towel and put them back up. I used to try to do it with glass cleaner and a variety of other products, but dish soap and water works the best and is so effective and easy.

The Keepers premieres on Netflix today! There has been quite a bit of hype surrounding it, calling it the next “Making a Murderer”–which we devoured. Are you gonna watch it?

• This skirt is the perfect length, so soft and stretchy and can be dressed up or down. Bottom line, it’s going to get me through the summer!

• With the completion of the nursery, we realized we have officially tackled so many kinds of bedrooms in our house over the last year–the girls’ room, the guest room, the master bedroom and the nursery. Each was tackled with a different age in mind, but all with the same purpose–sleep! We’re sharing our Tips for creating Sleep-Inducing Environments for Everyone in the House right here. 

• Don’t miss the giveaway we’re running over on Instagram for a sweet “welcome home” box full of goodies! It closes Sunday!

Hope you have a great weekend! The weather is going to be perfect around here and we’ll be working on my parents’ deck! Follow along (@chrislovesjulia) on Instagram for live updates!

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What do you think?

  1. Julie says:

    Ahh, I loved your comment about liking it when people instagram stuff from the stores! I always love that too – so much that last Friday when I got to make a trip to my closest mall full of home stores…I instagrammed the heck out of it (I’m sure I looked reeeeally cool taking pictures all over the stores – ha). 4 posts with 10 pics each – and that was showing restraint! Lol! If you want to see more pictures of what stores are selling now that caught my eye it’s on instagram at @reddoordesigner. The only bad thing is that I wanted to add comments to every picture and you can’t really do that on instagram… Oh well.

  2. Meghan says:

    Same struggle, trying to find a recreational property that we can also rent out. It’s surprisingly hard, with certain covenants, or strata by-laws set up in lakes in our area making it nearly impossible to find one that’s affordable and allows us the opportunity of seeing a return on our investment.
    Good luck!!

  3. Tara says:

    Oooh, I am on pins and needles to see what you guys do with a cabin! Also, if you loved making a murderer, you should listen to the up and vanished podcast! Sooo good!

  4. We are so excited to hear about your mountain cabin dreams, and can’t wait to see how it unfolds!

  5. Mary says:

    I’m really curious about the Instagram stories where someone goes into a Target or Container Store or World Market and shows things to buy! How do you find those or which ones do you like?

    • Julia says:

      So many home bloggers do it! And now it’s slipping my mind who they were. I’ve seen @YoungHouseLove and @JennyKomenda do them. @themakerista!

  6. Corine says:

    How is it Friday already?! I always look forward to these posts. Soooo rooting for you to find the perfect cabin! And so excited to see your parents deck refresh.

  7. Nancy Sherman says:

    OMG – that chair in the first picture is heaven sent!
    Good luck on the cabin search. I look forward to following your blog for a good long time :)

  8. Jess says:

    Now that you guys have gotten most of the house done, how will that affect the blog and its content?

    • Julia says:

      Well, we still have the master bathroom and closet and that will impact the master bedroom. We want to do some big things outside, like tackling the front porch, adding an outdoor kitchen and a pretty playset to the back. A little playhouse under the stairs. In addition to finishing the girls’ bathroom downstairs. And then some fun garage updates. So we still have a good year left of renovating. But, we do hope to get a cabin during that time and start tackling it, too!

  9. Kelly C says:

    Hi Julia & Chris! I have a question: Your glass pendants are so beautiful, can you please tell me what light bulbs you use? I just bought a glass pendant that exposes the bulbs and I have no idea which bulbs to buy. Edison bulbs seem so orange-y and I hear they’re super energy inefficient. Do you have a favorite kind to use?

    • Julia says:

      Always look at the Kelvin scale on the box when choosing Edison bulbs. We got ours at a local lighting place and they have a 2700K appearance, which is a nice, warm white. And while it doesn’t last as long as an led, these are 2 year bulbs–so not too bad!

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