Front Porch in Detail...

As you all saw in the "A Little Switcheroo" post, Justin and I did a quick redo of our front door.  The original screen door was a red color which, wasnt bad, but we felt it was a little dated and wanted to give it a little pizzaz. The front steps in my opinion were hideous.  They were the weirdest hue of blue/grey I have EVER seen.   Here... is the before :)

After a trip to McLendons I was ready to paint, paint and paint.  In all my excitement I sort of forgot about the fact that we were in mid october and the weather conditions were less than ideal for painting an exterior surface.  The evening was approaching bringing with it a cool damp dew that made the "30 minute dry time" non existant.  I am impulsive and I didnt care so I went ahead anyways.  After realizing my boo boo Justin and I had to figure out some way to just get it dry.  Enter hair dryer and HOT halogen light.

 So thats what we did.  I held the blowdryer while Justin held the lamp and we sat there and held them until we were bored (which didnt take very long) then we got a plastic tarp and covered the porch with the lamp under it, nicely heating (drying) the wet, wet paint.  I'm sure our neighbors thought we were very cool.

Here is the finished product.  We have much bigger plans for the front of the house but for the time being this will do.  We chose a black paint for the screen door to coordinate with the banisters, outdoor lighting and mailbox and a charcol grey for the steps.

What quick fixes have you done to your home?

A Little Switcheroo

BEFORE

                                                 AFTER                                                    



October Shenanigans

Another long break in between blogs. Please forgive me, I have great excuses. :]

October was a very busy month for the Dobsons, unfortunately not so much in the home renovation department, but we had a funfilled, celebratory month. And. It. Was. Fun. !!!

Our October jump started with the celebration of Justin's 26th birthday. We had a few of our people over, made great use of a DIY "pong" table and adorned our basement walls with some new art. ;] My birthday follwed shortly after and then we jet setted off to the fabulous Boston for our belated honeymoom/needtogetaway/birthday trip.

Boston was amazing. Period. Justin and I are now madly in love with the city and will definitely be going back. I dont know what it was about Boston that made us love it so much, but its just plain cool! The people are so nice, the food is awesome and the city life is normal, laid back and you feel at home wherever you go!

We took in every historical site in the downtown area, enjoyed vino and pasta in Little Italy, brushed up on our studies at Harvard and were bewitched in Salem. Every place we visited had amazing stories of the past and architecture that was to DIE for.

 

All in all we probably walked 20 trillion-bazillion miles and got about 2 hours of sleep but it was worth it!  I love adventures like these and it makes it even better being able to share them with the funnest/best/amazingest/sweetest person on the planet.  (I digress)  I am already looking forward to our next trip together, one that will hopefully be more relaxing but just as much fun!! We took a TON of pictures but I don't want to bore you with them all :]

*Back to the home remodel.  I've got our new dining room for ya as well as some inspiring finds for Holiday Season - stay tuned!!!

A Vintage Christmas

I was in Macy's this past Saturday and in the world of shopping malls Christmas time is already upon us.  Ornaments nestled in winter garlands adorned the ceilings and "Jolly old Saint Nick" was filling the ears of vigorous shoppers.  After a brief moment of holiday hipnosis (record player hault)... "what day is it?" 

Now, I believe that early November is way too soon for Christmas decor and music but I must say that it got me thinking...

I have decided that I want to decorate our house in Vintage Christmas this year.  My grandparents on my father's side are giving us most of their Christmas decor and I know there is bound to be some cool, vintage, festive items :)   I also just like the way it looks and think it would fit perfectly in Casa Dobson. 

I find some items that are a bit creepy in their old age but for the most part I love the sweet innocence that older things bring to a home.  They trigger memories and remind people of the "good ol days" and of a time when our world was a little less... well... jacked up. 

I LOVE the Thanksgiving/Christmas season.  I love the decor, the smells, peoples spirits and all the yummylicious food I get to eat and not feel bad because I have the excuse of the the Holidays. Justin and I are blessed in having such great friends and amazing family that we get to share this time with.

Whether its Grandma Wilson's yummy Chirstmas cookies, or Grammy Schuett's AMAZING dinner or donating Toys for Tots with the Dobsons, its nice how everyone comes together. 

* See my post tonight for my excuses on why it to me so darn stinkin long to post on our blog!  I am soooo sorry :]