{renovate} THE LIST. 2013.

Friends!  I can't even believe I'm going to post this list ... but in the interest of complete transparency, I thought we'd take a look at the list I made last year at this time about all the projects we were going to accomplish in 2012. I actually laughed out loud when I re-read this list last week -- we were seriously a little over ambitious! We'd actually talked about doing both the kitchen and bathroom in one year. HA! See? A little crazy :).

 Now, I've already mentioned that we aren't taking on any new remodeling projects this year, but I updated this list to show you what we did accomplish last year (crossed out), will tackle this year (ital) and new additions.

Kitchen - at least the list starts on a high note?? :)

• Install new counter top
• Tear up linoleum (BOTH layers) and refinish hardwoods
• Build a kitchen island
• Install a dishwasher

Back Porch - I am determined to finish this room up this year. It keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the list and then acts as a staging area for bigger projects. This year I want to finish and then just ENJOY.

• Refinish chairs
• Paint floor
• Add artwork

Bathroom: gut. Off. The. List. 2014, I'm looking at you.

• Install new non-wood window
• Tear out everything
• Tile floor
• Tile shower
• Paint

Craft room: This room. Sigh. Seriously needs help. I've worked on it here and there, but I need to take a serious look at functionality.

• Find a suitable organizing system
• Finish decorating

NEW: Living room: We'll be switching up the furniture in this room. I'm so excited!

• New ottoman
• Find room for new couch

I think this list is much more realistic. I'm excited to get started on all these projects! Well, after we finish up that kitchen :).

{inspired} home holiday gifts

I think I've mentioned a couple times here on this blog that my lovely husband might struggle a tiny bit in the gifting department. It's one of the main reasons we go on vacations for both our birthdays and anniversary. The other reason being that he's impossible to buy for -- double whammy. So I feel like I need to brag on him just a bit after this Christmas. Friends, he hit it out of the park.

Meet my new couch!

Leather and tufted with big roll arms? Yummy.

The couch actually has a back story. Chris' hobby is restoring vintage cars. And to do this, he's often out buying/trading car parts with guys he meets at various events. Sometimes I tag along. I was doing just that about a year and a half ago when we were walking through this one guy's basement as we made our way back to the room where he stores his car parts and we walked by this amazing couch. Clearly not being used and exactly the couch I would pick out if I could pick out any couch. I have no idea why I didn't mention it then, but I did mention it later and we've talked a couple times about calling the guy and seeing if he'd be willing to sell it. But of course, the living room isn't really a priority - or even on the list! - so nothing ever came of it. Until Chris surprised me with for Christmas!

He hid it in the garage and arrange a really awesome scavenger hunt for me to find it! It was the sweetest and I was so surprised. Maybe his gift giving skills are coming around? 

I think you can tell in the photos, but this couch is a little dry with some surface scratches. And, one tuft has popped out. Other than that it's in perfect shape! I'm so excited to show you when we move it into the living room. And I'm excited to share with you how we plan to restore/condition it so it glows like new! 

Another gift I'm really excited about?

Yep, my mom read my wish list. Good job mom! :)

Friends, what was one of your favorites gifts this year?

{create} an organized home

Friends! It's a new year! I know, what would you do without me? Does anyone else out there get a cleaning and organizing itch at the beginning of the year? Well, you know how sometimes you have a hard time getting rid of things. Or you're just really busy and don't take the time to organize/clean on a regular basis? And things just keep piling up and piling up until you can't take and you end of just donating it all.

What? Is this how your household works too? This is the pile we took to goodwill this week (well, except for the kitchen stool that crept into the photo - that didn't go to goodwill). I've been a on cleaning/organizing streak and now our house feels empty and spacious and awesome. For now :)

Anyone else cleaning out to prep for/celebrate the new year??