I too am a thrift store addict

Jo isn't the only one that can't say no to a good bargain. I just bought my fifth couch in about 6 years. Crazy, I know. But I saw this one yesterday at an antique market and couldn't stop thinking about. I went back this afternoon, and about an hour later, it was delivered to my door. It is SO much more comfortable than the last couch, and much cuter. The colour is not my favourite, but I'll have to make it work. I'll get some pillows made (mom??) in some great colours/patterns and liven it up. (See here for details).

Couch is already cat approved.

I also got this table to house my TV and components, and got to put my coffee table back where it belongs. The table was from an antique store and was originally $285 marked down to $95. It could be a bit longer, but I had too much criteria to find the perfect table. Now I have to get the room figured out so I can find a colour to paint it. Another day, another score.

The joys of owning a 90ish year old home

This week has been a crazy week for me. I was stuck at home Monday and Tuesday with a leaky basement (we had VERY mild weather) and realized I had to get the eavestrough replaced on the left side of the house ($800). Then I had to skip work today because I had an electrician coming in to replace my electrical panel with breakers instead of fuses and some other minor stuff. ($2800). I have just GOT to plug the electrical company that came because they were SUPER nice, worked hard, and did a few extra things for me when they noticed some shady work in the basement. So anyone in Ottawa needing electrical work done, call Ellacott Electric. They rock and although I almost teared up when I wrote that cheque, I have a nice fuzzy feeling now that I know my house has less of a chance burning to the ground. And that photo above? Compared to what that used to look like, it's a work of ART.

Kim's new house

I have had photos up on Flickr for a little while of my new house but figured I'd post something on the blog in case you missed them on Flickr, so you can see what I've gotten myself into. This will also explain why for the next several months/years I will be very VERY busy. My new house is small, due to the fact that it's all I could afford close to downtown (no longer 2 incomes paying the mortgage). I'm done with the burbs. So I had to make some sacrifices, size (maybe 1000 square feet and about 12' wide, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms) and age (about 90 years old) being a couple, to live in town. Attempts have been made over the years to update the house by very AMATEUR renovators. Don't even get me started on some of the things that have gone on here. But this house is going to be a fun project for me and I'm really looking forward to it and to sharing it with all of our readers. Hope you all don't mind if I ask for advice along the way. Now for the photos. I've only lived here since Dec. 18th so all I've done so far is stick furniture here and there. And dream.

At Kim's place

Jo posted below about what's happening at her place so I thought I would share what's going on at my place.

This is what my house looks like at the moment. A complete disaster, filled with boxes and packing materials and fur balls. I hate moving, because I hate living in chaos. My anxiety levels are through the roof. I am moving on Tuesday, and at this point it's looking like I won't have time for any posts until at least mid-week. I only have 2 days off from work for the move so that isn't going to help my situation much. So this is just a heads-up if posting is a little light this week. Jo will be doing her regular number of posts though.

And to top it all off, we are having yet another huge snowstorm today. This may help me if I'm snowed in tomorrow and can't get to work. :) If I don't come by the blog much, have a good week everyone.

Shameless plugs

It appears Jo and I are embarking on some pretty big ventures at the moment and I wanted to take the time for a little shameless plug for each of us. Let's start with me, since I have a wee bit more at stake. My house is up for sale, and I'm really proud of ALL the work we've put into this place. But it's time for me to move on. So if anyone out there is looking for a townhouse renovated and decorated by yours truly in Ottawa (Kanata actually), send me an email and I'll give you more info. Some photos are below (click them for bigger and better view).

Jo has recently opened her Etsy store and it's stocked of some of the most amazing artwork. She is so freaking talented. And I am so fortunate to already own several of her pieces. I'm like a proud Mom. The first two are photos of ones I own, and the other two she has available in her shop, that I am also itching to own.