The Birds

So far, the spring season has brought us freshly grown flowers, backyard BBQs and, unfortunately, birds moving into one of the air vents on the side of our house. Yup, just like the mouse we dealt with during the winter, this is another not-so-nice thing about owning a home.

We first discovered the nest last Friday, after I heard a scrabbling sound and series of clanks that seemed to be coming from inside the living room ceiling. Since then, my husband has tried a couple different ways of getting them out, including running the fan and taping up a makeshift cardboard grate, which they have since managed to remove twice.

(via Wikipedia) 

Has anyone else dealt with this issue? Do you have any advice? We don’t want to harm the birds, but just prevent them from damaging the vent and producing waste that makes its way inside. I imagine we may have to contact animal control or try putting a more permanent grate over the opening, which is located three stories up and very difficult to get to. 

No matter what ends up happening, I'm sure we’ll continue learning as we go, and eventually get the hang of this whole "owning a house" thing! 

Spring Flowers & Showers

Yes, I took another short blogging break, but what can I say? I’ve been outdoors enjoying the spring sunshine and warm weather, both very welcome after such a long, cold winter.

Stephen’s parents were in town last week, and we had a great time hosting them at our house for the first BBQ of the spring season. Using the new Webber grill that his family gave us for Christmas, Stephen cooked up a tasty batch of blue cheese burgers, which we served along with red wine and Greek salad. It was all so delicious, and we had such a fun time, that I didn’t even remember to snap any pictures of the meal. Though we’ve only done it a couple times so far, hosting dinners at our new house is quickly becoming one of my favorite activities.

While his dad was working, Stephen, his mom and I also braved a rainy day to head to the Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum and one of our favorite wineries, Fabbioli Cellars. As always, we had a great time there, and came home with a nice red to enjoy the next time we grill. 

How have you been welcoming spring? Do you love spending time outdoors when the weather warms up? 

Mouse in the House: When Owning a Home Isn't Quite As Much Fun

Along with all of the awesome things about owning a home, like gaining more space and no longer having to deal with rent increases, come some not-so-nice things, like unexpected repairs and unwanted critters trying to escape the winter cold.  

It was late three nights ago when we first heard the scampering coming from the vent above our microwave. At first, I hoped it was just my imagination or something else, but obviously, it wasn’t. Two semi-sleepless nights and a few stomach grumbles later (I’d been afraid to spend more than a few seconds at a time in the kitchen), a pest control expert came out to investigate.

The only mouse I ever want to see. (via Babble)

Upon checking the kitchen, utility room and yard, he found evidence of one lone mouse that had entered our home. For a fee of $189, he then set up four bait stations, two indoors and two outdoors. If the mouse hasn't already left, it will take the bait, become dehydrated and leave our house to find a new water source. Pest control will come back in one week to check the bait stations. He did say that this is the smallest mouse infestation he's ever seen, and that we caught it early, so that is very good news!

Have you dealt with this type of situation before? What's your most hated thing about being a homeowner? 

Friends-giving, Sutton Foster & Two Very Cute Kitties

From sharing a feast with two dear friends to seeing the incomparable Sutton Foster bring down the house at DC’s Kennedy Center, my Thanksgiving weekend was filled with food, fun and, of course, two very cuddly kitties. Best of all, it’s now officially the Christmas season, to be celebrated with many a carol, roll of giftwrap and homemade cookie.

As usual, my low-key holiday weekend kicked off Wednesday night with a big glass of wine and an annual viewing of Gone With the Wind. A lovely light snow – our first of the season – also fell that day. Then, Thursday morning, it was time to head into the kitchen to help my husband prepare a Thanksgiving meal of turkey, gravy, salad, my Nana’s mashed potatoes, his Nana’s stuffing and some delish cranberry-lemon relish. Our friends also contributed rolls, a green bean casserole and two pies, making for a fabulous meal in our new home.

(For those who are wondering, I gave up my pescetarian diet a few months back after struggling with low energy levels and weight gain. Luckily, I’ve been feeling better ever since.)

   

Friday found us doing some early-morning shopping, then later heading to the Kennedy Center, where Tony-winner Sutton Foster performed alongside the National Symphony Orchestra and special guest artists Megan McGinnis and Joshua Henry. While the two-hour show didn't seem nearly long enough, it was by far one of the most awesome symphony concerts I’ve seen.

Looks like I'll be re-cleaning the tablecloth and mats! 

Finally, while Steve worked on homework Saturday and Sunday, I enjoyed putting up decorations and snuggling with our kitties, who both tried to “help” deck the halls by batting at ornaments and lounging on top of stockings. All in all, it was a wonderful start to the holiday season! 

How was your Thanksgiving? Are you ready for the holidays?  

On the Move

Aside from getting the flu or being forced to eat raw onions, there are few things I hate more than moving. From the boxes and pack-it-up chaos to the actual, you know, moving part, it’s an organizational nut’s worst nightmare, especially when you skip the professionals and decide to do it yourself. Which, by the way, I swore we wouldn’t be doing this time.

Well, guess what? After getting moving company estimates we thought were much too high based on the distance, our furniture and more, my husband and I decided to bite the bullet and go the DIY route once again, transporting smaller items in our SUV ahead of time and, yes, renting a Penske truck for the bigger pieces.

A sneak peek inside our new home!

As we pulled into the lot two Saturdays ago, I tried to keep my spirits up and the impending dread in check. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all, right? RIGHT! One of Steve’s coworkers very graciously helped him with the heavy pieces, while I held doors, carried smaller items and cheered the guys on. A couple short hours later, we were done, making it our smoothest, fastest and easiest move ever.

Since then, we’ve made great progress setting up and arranging things inside the new house, thankful that nothing was damaged, lost or broken. Best of all, we can put the money we saved toward other new-home necessities and can also rest easy knowing that we won’t be moving again for a very long time!

What are some of your tips for ensuring a smooth move? 

The Best Birthday Present Ever (aka Our New Home)

What could possibly be more exciting than buying your first home? Not much, in my opinion, unless you happen to be doing it on or around your birthday!

When my husband and I moved into our current apartment last year, we hoped it would be our last one and that we would be able to purchase our first home by the time the lease expired this fall. To our surprise, things ended up moving even a bit more quickly than expected, with us finding a realtor in late August, launching a search and viewing about 20 homes before finding the one we loved – a three-level townhouse with a small yard and walkout basement. We made an offer that very evening, got a reasonable counteroffer, accepted it and went to settlement just a couple days after I celebrated 31 years.

Our first home! 

Celebrating with champagne.

Having lived in apartments my entire life, owning a home is a huge step for me, one that’s scary and thrilling all at the same time. And while there are definitely a few things we want to have done before moving in later this month, plus some other changes we'd like to make over time, all in all, we know this will be a great first home for us. 

Are you currently house hunting or planning to start looking? We were lucky to work with an excellent realtor, so if you’re in the DC area and need a referral, just let me know. If you've previously been in our shoes as a first-time homeowner, do you have any helpful advice to share? 

Five Things Thursday: Things I'm Loving

Happy May Day! It’s been a busy week around here, but I’ve still made time to join Diana and Tairalyn for their weekly Five Things linkup, where I’m sharing a few cool things I’m loving right now. Want to join in? Check out my five things below, share yours and then head on over to The World Around Her or Little Miss Mama to add your link and join the fun!

1. Charity Miles App

Even though our daily walks were put on hold thanks to rainy weather the past couple of days, I’m looking forward to getting back out there again! If you aren’t already familiar with it, the free Charity Miles app allows you to earn money for a charity of your choosing for every mile you walk, run or bike. Charities to choose from include Stand Up to Cancer, the Wounded Warrior Project, ASPCA and many more. Check it out, and start giving back while you work out!

2. Farmers Markets

Have I mentioned before that I love, love, love our new neighborhood? Starting tonight, there’ll be yet another great thing going on – a seasonal farmers market within easy walking distance of our place. I’m looking forward to seeing what they have and hopefully also getting inspired to whip up a few new healthy recipes.

Photo Credit: Fabbioli Cellars

3. Fabbioli Cellars’ Una Pera Wine

As I mentioned last week, Fabbioli Cellars is one of my favorite local wineries. Lately, I've been especially loving their Una Pera pear wine, which always hits the spot on a warm spring or summer’s day. Since it’s sold at our local Whole Foods, we can even get our fix without visiting the winery itself (even though we like to every chance we get).

4. Margaritas

For those times when wine just won’t cut it, I love indulging in a tangy margarita. I recently discovered this mango jalapeno recipe on Pinterest and can’t wait to give it a try.

5. MRIS Homes.com

Sure, Zillow is a great basic tool, but for hardcore house searching, MRIS Homes is a truly awesome one-stop shop for real-time, in-depth info. Fellow house hunters or homeowners, are there any other sites you'd recommend?

What are you loving this week?  

Five Things Thursday: Random Musings

Happy Thursday! Today, I’m excited to join Diana and Tairalyn for their new weekly Five Things linkup, where bloggers can share any five things currently on their minds. Want to join in? Check out my five things below, share yours and then head on over to The World Around Her or Little Miss Mama to add your link and join the fun!

1. Now that it’s finally spring, I’m trying to get outside and exercise more often, even though it’s been tough getting back into it following months of lazy, out-of-shape lounging. During last weekend’s run, I barely made it a mile before wanting to stop and walk, but I guess something is better than nothing, right?

2. Last week, I was excited to get word that I’ve been selected for a new freelance writing opportunity with a women’s lifestyle site. I’ll make an official announcement and share my first post once it goes live, but for now, I’m just grateful for the upcoming opportunity, even though I’m at the same time disappointed that a fellow writing buddy who applied with me wasn’t accepted. Have you ever had an experience like that, where you got good news but a friend didn’t? It’s definitely sapped some of the joy out of the announcement, even though I know she’s genuinely happy for me.

3. My husband and I have been trying out a lot of new recipes lately, and last weekend we whipped up a tasty new addition that will definitely be a keeper in our house this spring and summer – kung pao salmon. Would you like to try it, too? Stay tuned for a recipe recap post next week!

4. Now that my husband and I have decided to stay here in the DC area for the foreseeable future, we’re looking forward to starting our house hunt during the mid-to-late summer. So far, we’ve gone to a couple seminars, put together an initial list outlining what we do and don’t want, and have also starting scoping out potential neighborhoods we like. The thought of making such a huge purchase still feels a bit daunting at times, but as we keep getting more of a solid feel for what we’re doing, it’s starting to get a lot more exciting, too!

5. If the weather is nice this weekend, we’re hoping to head to a Lao New Year Festival where we can enjoy some tasty eats, including the utter deliciousness that is crispy rice salad. Have you ever tried it before? Here's also wishing an early happy Easter to all who will be celebrating! 

Spring Dreaming

After getting hit with yet another winter snowstorm earlier this week, I think it’s fair to say that everyone here in the DC area is counting down the days until spring finally arrives.

Being from Southern California, I have especially never been a fan of Old Man Winter, and I’ve been dreaming for months already about all the fun things the spring and summer seasons will hold for us here in our new neighborhood. From walking to nearby restaurants to going for a run on the various trails and taking a dip in our complex’s pool, I just can’t wait to head back outdoors after months of freezing weather.

Now that we have two outdoor patios – our old apartment had an enclosed sunroom instead – I’m also looking forward to picking out a small bistro set that will allow us to eat, read and relax outside. So far, this cute and inexpensive $50 Tarno set from Ikea has caught my eye as a definite contender. Other possible plans include getting a grill, a birdfeeder and a couple small plants.

What are you most looking forward to this spring?  

Three on Thursday

Happy Thursday, everyone! Since I unfortunately haven’t had the chance to post regularly throughout the past couple of weeks, I decided to check in today with a list of three random facts about life lately in my little corner of the world.

1. Stephen and I celebrated Valentine’s Day a bit early last week with mini cheesecakes and moscato wine during the winter storm that brought a full foot of snow to our area – the most we've seen in four years. On Saturday night, we also headed to – where else? – the Kennedy Center to attend the Metropolitan Opera National Council’s Middle Atlantic Region Auditions for young artists. While this may not sound especially thrilling to everyone else, I was actually very excited to go, since I’d always wanted to witness the audition process and was quite lucky to even get tickets at all to this popular annual event. Of course, the performers were incredibly talented, and it was such a fun evening!

Brr! Posing in front of a cute little snowman someone built the day of the storm. 

2. Ever since I turned 30, my “baby fever” has definitely kicked up a notch, though there’s still of course the question of deciding when exactly the time will be right to start a family. Do those of you who are already parents have any helpful advice about how you ultimately decided it was the right time, especially in terms of finances? I've read some pretty daunting articles about the "start-up" costs for having a baby, plus the costs throughout the first year, not to mention during his or her entire childhood. 

3. A few weeks ago, Stephen and I went to a very helpful home-buyers’ seminar, and this weekend, we’ll be going to yet another one as we continue to think about when and where we might like to buy a house. The first seminar was geared specifically toward first-time buyers, offering a step-by-step overview of the house-hunting process, while this next one will be more focused on determining what you want in a house and how you’d like to tailor your search. Even though it’s a bit stressful knowing that this is yet another big life decision we’ll need to make, it’s also been exciting to start considering our options.

I hope you all have a fantastic day and a fun weekend ahead! 

New Places, New Faces: The Joys & Hassles of Moving

It’s official. Eight years after moving to my current city just outside Washington DC, and five years after moving into this very apartment, which my husband and I have both loved, we're picking up and heading a bit farther out into the suburbs in order to save more money and hopefully make our dream of buying a house come true within the next year or so.

Honestly, had it not been for our original goal of eventually moving back to California, which we’d been discussing throughout the past couple years, we probably would have made this decision a lot sooner. But now, with opportunities on the West Coast simply unable to compete with those available here, we’re excited to feel more settled and focus on buying a home, starting a family and enjoying life in our 30s.

Space Shuttle Discovery flying above our current neighborhood back in April 2012.

As I type this post, we’re right in the middle of packing, scheduling cable and Internet installations, arranging to have our mail forwarded and all of the other joys that come with moving to a new place. But, despite the hassle and the fact that we’ve loved our current location, I’m also very pleased with our soon-to-be new community. What we’re losing in terms of proximity to the city, we’re gaining in terms of a quieter and more serene wooded neighborhood, an apartment with a fireplace, outdoor space for grilling, growing plants and sitting out during the warmer months, easy access to great restaurants and shops, and more.

I certainly hope time will demonstrate that we’ve made the best decision for our future and that we’ll be as happy in our new place as we have been in the one we're leaving behind. 

Favorite Fall Things Blog Swap: Caramel Apples, Pumpkin Soap, a Scented Candle & More

Being able to enjoy the fall season is definitely one of the best things about living here on the East Coast, and every year, I look forward to crisp days, changing leaves, the start of the holidays and pumpkin, well, everything.

To make the fall months even more fun this time around, I decided to link up with a group of fellow bloggers for the Favorite Fall Things Blog Swap, where I exchanged a box of goodies with my fabulous partner Morgan Elise. It was great getting to know Morgan, who also has experience with wedding coordination and thinks sweet cinnamon pumpkin is the perfect fall scent. Plus, I completely loved everything she sent me! 

As seen here, Morgan gifted me: 

-- A purple tote bag

-- A House Hunters bingo game

-- Candy corn tissues

-- A ceramic pumpkin candle set with Spun Web scented cubes

-- An air freshener satchel 

-- A mason jar drinking glass with a couple Crystal Light packets and gum 

-- Two caramel apple kits

-- Pumpkin-scented soap 

Thanks, Morgan, for this fantastic collection and for being my partner! The caramel apples were especially fun to make and tasted every bit as delicious as they looked. Happy fall, everyone!

Simple & Fun Fall Craft Idea: DIY Halloween Owl Wreath

While I’m not usually one to go all out with seasonal and holiday decorations, I do like to put out a few fun pieces each year once the fall season rolls around. Along with a couple new pumpkin-and-apple scented candles, Halloween-themed art pieces and owl throw pillows, one of my favorite additions to this year’s collection is the super cute DIY Halloween owl wreath Stephen and I made using a $20 kit from Paper Source.

Even for novice crafters like us, the instructions were relatively easy to follow, and although it did take a bit longer to complete than we originally expected (mostly because we had to curl each flower petal one at a time), I absolutely love the way it came out. Plus, at just $20, this paper wreath was a bargain compared with a few more elaborate ready-made designs I had recently been eyeing. Overall, it was a fun and simple project, and as you can see, even Molly and Twix had a great time getting in on some paper scrap action! 

Have you done any fun DIY projects or put up any new decorations this fall? 

Shiny New Set of Wheels

After Stephen and I got back from Hawaii, it was time to put our next big summer plan into action – buying a new car! While we initially weren’t sure we wanted to spend the money right now, especially since we are hoping to buy a home within the next several years, Stephen’s sister was selling her 2011 Honda CR-V before moving away from DC, and the opportunity was just too good to pass up.

So far, we’ve had the car for about a month and love everything about it, including the following.

• I've always wanted an SUV, and this one has good safety ratings and just 20,000 miles on it. It should also be a good family car in the future once we have kids.
• It's much roomier and newer than our Jetta, which is still running great after 10 years, but obviously won’t last forever.
• We now have two cars, giving us more flexibility to get around town, especially if we ever move to an area without good public transportation.
• It has a built-in GPS system, which was a must for me in any new car, along with a backup camera, Bluetooth syncing for my phone and possibly even a couple other cool features I still need to learn how to use.

All in all, we couldn't be happier with our decision and hope this car will serve us well for years to come! 

Margaritas, Beach Bags & Bath Bombs

Even though things are still incredibly hectic for me at the moment, I wanted to drop in and say hi to let you all know I’m still here! I'm doing my best to visit your blogs as often as I can, and I also wanted to share at least a few photo highlights from the past couple weeks. Thanks for sticking with me, and I'll be back with more updates soon! 

My sweet kitty Twix resting in a Mary Kay makeup box that's just her size. She definitely is gorgeous, just like the box says! 

Isn't this the cutest contact case you've ever seen? Thanks for the gift, Mom! 

A new Vera Bradley seashore tote bag for my July vacation to Hawaii. Is it time yet? 

A pre-Cinco de Mayo margarita from my favorite neighborhood Mexican place. I've definitely treated myself to a couple of these lately!

Tasty sushi rolls to help beat the rainy day blues.

Kicking off Sunday brunch with a refreshing berry mimosa.

The newest additions to my ever-growing collection of LUSH bath goodies. I can't get enough of that place!

Have you seen the new Star Trek movie yet? I loved it!

What have you been up to lately? Has your May been as busy as mine? 

New Couch Quandaries

As our current couch and loveseat became increasingly worn, I tried to come up with temporary solutions to extend their lifespan, like buying a set of covers and positioning throw blankets over the back cushions. But when springs suddenly started breaking through a couple weeks back, I knew it was time to put the temporary fixes aside and start thinking about replacing the set altogether.

This time, instead of buying a separate couch and loveseat, Stephen and I are looking at corner couch models, including the following two contenders from Ikea. (I’m very disappointed that our current set from JC Penney has lasted less than three years.)

EKTORP Corner Sofa. Image Source: Ikea

KARLSTAD Corner Sofa. Image Source: Ikea

After checking them both out in person, I think we’re leaning a bit more toward the second one, since it seems to be slightly more spacious and comfortable, and also has a great crawl space underneath where Molly and Twix could play without any risk of getting “stuck” or losing their toys.

We still haven’t made a final decision, but one thing I definitely love about both of these couches is our ability to buy replaceable covers should the original fabric become worn or damaged. Have you ever purchased a couch from Ikea before, and which of these do you like best? I’ll be sure to let you know what we decide! 

P.S. Thanks so much for all of your helpful advice about the Writer's Digest Conference. While I didn't sign up in time to get the early bird discount, I still have more time to think about it and make a decision in the coming weeks. 

Future Home: Pool Party Paradise

After enduring more than a week of temperatures that hovered right around the 100-degree mark or higher (we’re finally down into the 80s – hooray!), I’ve been daydreaming more than ever about my future dream home and the glorious pool I plan to construct in the backyard.

Unlike the community pool here in our apartment complex, which is small, shallow, always crowded and constantly scrutinized by the watchful eyes of a lifeguard, my someday pool -- like those seen below -- will be a private refuge of escape and relaxation, as well as the perfect setting for the occasional pool party or summer BBQ bash. 

Visit my Home board on Pinterest to check out these and other fun inspirations. What's your dream home must-have? 

Future Home: Dream Office

As far as home office space goes, I’m pretty happy with what I’ve got right now, even if it is a far cry from my former digs on Capitol Hill, which were definitely nice, but truth be told, also a bit over the top.

Still, while my basic L-shaped desk (purchased on sale for just $70!) and standard Ikea shelving are more than enough to meet my needs for the time being, that hasn’t stopped me from daydreaming about what I might someday do once we have a house of our own and a hopefully expanded budget.

Here, a few of my favorite design and decor inspirations thus far from – where else? – Pinterest. 

Source: luxefinds.com via Heather on Pinterest

Fun, functional, feminine and sophisticated, this office's furniture, color scheme and decor all make me swoon.

Source: houzz.com via Heather on Pinterest

Growing up, one of my friends had a wall of shelves just like this in her room, and I was always quite envious, since this type of open layout provides for so many creative storage and decor options.

Source: luxefinds.com via Heather on Pinterest

Corner shelving units also strike my fancy, and I just love the color-blocking with books seen in this image.

Source: penniesandblessings.com via Heather on Pinterest

This desk, a twist on the one I have now, would allow for plenty of work and storage space, given the wide desktop and two sets of drawers on each side. The room's color scheme is also calm and relaxing, which is just what I need to help keep me on track when things get stressful.

Source: luxefinds.com via Heather on Pinterest

The chic chandelier and pretty ceiling patterns are just my style, as are the classic and sophisticated colors seen throughout the room.

Of course, in the end, I guess it's also fair to say that my ultimate dream office would actually look something a little more like this... :)

Source: sunsurfer.tumblr.com via Heather on Pinterest

What's your vision for a dream home office?

Décor Inspiration: DIY Water Bead & Hydrangea Centerpiece

A couple weeks ago, I had the honor or coordinating a wedding for two wonderful clients and friends, Kim and Francis, who recently spent the past week honeymooning in sun-kissed Cancun. Their wedding day was incredibly beautiful, and I of course can’t wait to share more details and photos very soon.

In the meantime, I was so inspired by Kim’s vision for a quick, easy and eye-catching centerpiece that I just couldn’t wait to share it with all of you. Taking only mere minutes to assemble, this centerpiece is perfect for a wedding or dinner party, and could even be tailored to add a splash of prettiness to your home and office décor. 

How's it made? Read on! 

Items Needed

* Wide glass containers in the style and quantity of your choosing

* Glow sticks

* Water beads, also known as jelly beads, in the color of your choice

* Hydrangeas or another flower type of your choosing

Instructions

* Place one or two lit glow-stick necklaces in the bottom of a fish bowl or other type of wide glass container.

* Cover the bottom of the container with a layer of water beads, filling as high as you desire.

* Cut a hydrangea stem, or the stem of another type of flower you prefer, so that only a small portion remains beneath the head. Place the cut flower in the center of the bowl atop the water beads, inserting the stem to help hold it in place.

And that’s it – fun, fast and lovely! Have you ever experimented with water bead décor, and what are some of your favorite DIY ideas?