We're Nuts About Wine

Today is National Pistachio Day. Seriously. You cannot make this stuff up, people. AND today is Open That Bottle Day. In short, you should open that special bottle of wine that you have been saving for a special occasion because every day is a special occasion. Yeah, I just said that. Here at the Kitzmmer house, we don't hold on to bottles of wine for too long. What can I say, we likes our wine. So we will be joining D at a local establishment and we will order a bottle of wine there. I may have a bag of pistachios in my purse. What? I don't want to snub a wonderful holiday such as National Pistachio Day! 

Mmm, Pistachio Wine

Happy Holiday, friends!

(image courtesy of Napa Valley Products.)

Hells to the Yeah

Can you guess how I plan to spend the next hour of my life?

Catalogues - Check
Post-it Notes - Check
Beer - Check

Can you believe my good luck that all three of these arrived in the mail today? And yes, I am pretending that I was the only person to receive all three today and that they were sent for the sole purpose of brightening my day. 


I covet Crate&Barrel.  

NomNomNom

As many of you know, one of us in this dynamic duo is, how should I phrase this... domestically challenged. She occasionally asks really embarrassing questions about common household appliances because she rarely uses them and if she was left to her own devices she would eat hummus, cheese and beer every night. Next time you see Kristina, thank her for keeping Jamie quasi-healthy and well fed. You should also thank Jamie's cousin, Traci, for supplying her with the following "recipe" because it is delicious. You may want to buy a box of thank you cards because you are going to want to also thank Jamie for sharing this recipe with you today. Seriously, it is that good.

Friends, meet the best salad in the world!

One:
Cut a hole in the box.

Wait... that is not what we are doing here.  Step One: Spinach

 Yeah, we bought bagged spinach. What of it? Don't judge us.

Step Twice: Cut up strawberries.

Please ignore my running tights. Yikes.

Step Three: Gather required salad fixings.

Strawberries - check

Craisins - check

Feta Cheese - check

Almond Slivers - check

Sunflower Seeds - check

Colorful and delicious

Step Five: Combine in a bowl and top with Brianna's Fine Salad Dressing in Ginger Mandarin. 

Seriously, that is a fine salad dressing.

I love this salad more than taco salad, and you know how much I love taco salad. I salute you, Mr. Giant Taco Salad Inventor Guy, but you have been dethroned!

It's a Slippery Slope

While in Seattle this past weekend we walked around the Fremont Sunday Market. It was one of our favorite things to do in Seattle because the people watching is glorious and we love to check out the "treasures" that people sell. While browsing we passed a booth that had metal flower lawn ornaments...

Not the exact flowers, but close enough.

Our friend Cindy says, "who would ever buy those?" The following awkward conversation ensued -  "I know, right... well, actually my mom bought us a flower for our yard. But it is not tacky at all. It is actually made from old spoons, so it really neat. It's totally cool and the right amount of kitch. And it is pretty small... we have it in our flower bed in the front yard. It looks fine... <mumble, mumble>" All the while, Cindy is looking at me with a, "oh, Jamie" face. 

See it's not that bad. Right? I mean you like it, too. Right?

Friends, I realize I am on a slippery slope. It starts with our one flower and then we add a flamingo for additional kitch factor and the next think you know... BAM! Tacky City, USA is headquartered on our front lawn.

Future Kitzmmer lawn.

This might be a cry for help.

Adults have Headboards

I don't want to say that we are amazing, but yeah we totally made our headboard. Please, hold your applause.

Okay, fine, there was nothing amazing or magical about it. In fact, anyone with a staple gun, some fabric, a canvas frame, a beer and 20 minutes can make one. Don't believe me? Gather around, friends, and I will show you.

Materials:

• 2 Beers
• 1 LARGE Painting Canvas (We bought the 60" x 60" canvas frame, because our queen size bed is 60" in width.)
• Massive vehicle (We had to enlist the help of my mom and her massive vehicle to get the canvas from Michael's to our home. Sherry is a team player and was happy to assist.)
• A couple yards of fabric
• A couple yards of quilt batting
• A staple gun

At the Kitzmmer house, all projects begin and end with a beer and a cheers. Key to a happy relationship? Maybe. Key to Jamie not freaking out when things are not perfect? Definitely. So grab a cold one, and let's get started.

We laid the quilt batting on the floor and placed the canvas directly on top. We made sure we had enough batting on the top and sides to fold over and staple into the wood frame.

Next, it was time to attach the fabric. Don't be scurred, friends. Lay your fabric on the floor and place your canvas directly in the center. IN. THE. CENTER.  You don't want the thing to look crooked do you? No, you don't. Staple in the center first and then move out to the sides, making sure the fabric is nice and taunt.

Continue stapling all the way around the frame. This is not the time to be stingy with your staples.

After you have finished stapling, trim any excess fabric and BAM! You have a headboard.

Ohhh.  Ahhh.

Go ahead and congratulate yourself, you earned it.

We hammered two nails, two LEVEL nails, into the wall and hung the frame. We probably should have used an anchor and screws, but so far the headboard feels nice and secure. If the thing comes crashing down on our heads we will reevaluate the anchor and screw option. 

Now go forth and make your own luxe headboard.

For those of you that may be interested, the fabrick is from Hancock Fabrics. The bedspread is from CB2 and the quilt is from Urban Outfitters.  (Don't listen to Hancocks, the pattern on the fabric is purple, not maroon.)  If you want more detailed instructions you should check out Young House Love.

Time for Before...and Right Now!

You may have noticed that Kristina and I are not the best at updating this blog. I would like to say it is because we have been so busy with home improvement projects that we have had no time for blogging, but that would just be a lie. While have made headway on the house, we have also been busy exploring Denver. We have our favorite pubs (Hops and Pie!), our favorite Target, and some contenders for favorite coffee shop (but nothing compares to Stumptown...tear). All in all, we are adjusting to our new city. But I know you are not here to read my ramblings about adjustment and igniting the fire that burns in my soul (could you imagine me talking about that! Comedy!)... No, you are here, right now, for some before and right now pictures so let's get this show on the road.

Living Room - Before

 Living Room - After (to the west/back of the house)

 Living Room - After (to the east/front of the house)

 Office - Before

Office - After 

(yes, that is molding on the wall...thanks Steve-O!)

 

Bathroom - Before

Bathroom - After



Master Bedroom - Before

Master Bedroom - After

(We are on the hunt for an awesome black & white print 

for that big wall space; any ideas?)

Guest Room - Before

Guest Room - After

 



As you may have noticed, our guest room is looking pretty good. That is because we like to have guests! (Hint, Hint!)  As we spruce up rooms or embark on projects, we will document those changes and blog about them. You are excited, aren't you. If you have suggestions for a room or project, we would love to hear them.  

Thanks for stopping by.