Nesting part...?

So this week was all about catching up with friends and finally truly nesting. Like, two coats of paint nesting. Like, spending that Groupon to get that canvas picture print nesting. Like taking out the picture frames STILL in that box and putting them out nesting. You now what I am talking about and don't tell me that doesn't sound like it's a good time. ;)

New things I love:

My Starbucks rewards points card. free drinks, free syrup, free refills oh my!! Check it out.

Newsroom. Best new show by Aaron Sorkin on HBO. It makes me feel the way I did when I would watch TV growing up and things were intelligent and well thought out. What a concept! When there was a script (go figure) and editors (huh?) and ACTORS (no honey boo boo's) would rehearse SCENES (what are they?) before the actually went to cut print broadcast.
Anyways, please check this show out-it's one of the best things I've seen on TV...ever.

My new headboard

 and new jewelry box. 

oh no, actually it's not a box it's a case. Maybe not even a case it's more like a...wall unit. Ok I might be a jewelry hoarder. But isn't it SO pretty?

(forgive the webcam pics. trust me. it's pretty.)

A Pumpkin Patch Tablescape

I always called my best friend's family the "Pumpkin Patch" because as an only child I did not understand the concept of more than just yourself to talk to, play house or fight with. Yes, I may have fought with myself from time to time. So anyways, I actually got to spend Halloween eve in the infamous Pumpkin Patch with loads and loads of perfectly placed pumpkins on every surface and shelf. I mean, check out that table-scape fully equipped with muffins, chai, local wine and pumpkin candles.  These ladies really know how to celebrate the annual harvest. We take out a box of my Baba's favorite candy, junior mints, to celebrate her and have sentimintal momints together. Love these women.

Nesting Part Trois

Subtitle: The Cupcake Edition

What else do you do when you nest other than change hardware, and organize? Make pumpkin spice walnut cupcakes with cream cheese frosting of course. Want to be in the fall mood while you make these cupcakes? Light a Pumpkin Butter Spice Woodwick candle:

You can also watch your football team lose and have your bestie show you how to whip and frost. Oh and Beth this does not mean we are pregnant. ;)

Nesting part deux

Subtitle: Design on a Dime with hardware.  It makes a difference.

Anyone who watches HGTV as much as I do knows that the easiest way to transform a room is through paint and hardware. We got a new stainless steel fridge that is really making me feel like a grown up (I call it the baby) so we just had to get rid of these handles:

So ugly!

For these more modern angular square versions:

So pretty!

See how it's gone from old fashioned to modern meets vintage? I will be referring to all the "old" parts of my apartment as vintage as it sounds more glamorous. While I was in the kitchen opening and closing shelves with my new hardware I found ingredients to make this dessert.

No I didn't. Haven't gotten to fancy baking yet. ;) Break-off cookies are a sure fire perfect and easy fall evening dessert. 

Uhhhh... YUM!

Nesting part one

This may be a boring post to some, but I think organizing is the key to having a clear space and a clear mind. I found a really great organizational product that is sure to help those with awkward under the sink spaces. Behold:

It expands. It tiers. It has small adjustable shelves that can be used around a awkward pipes. It turns this:

Into this:

Now you are impressed. Now I have your attention. "What else can I do with awkward corner shelves Adriana?" you may ask. Do I have the answer for you! 

Lazy Susans! 

Need to reach hard to reach deep corner kitchen shelves?

Go to Bed Bath and Beyond and get these

so your corner shelf can look like this:

 AND be easily accessible. I have a clear mind now. How about you?

I reveal...the after!

Before and after bathroom!!!! What do you think? Use your imagination to feel your feet getting warm from the heated floor. Unfortunately the picture does not do justice to the new light Jason installed in the shower, new plumbing, crown molding etc. But one can get a good idea I hope.

Also while Jason was busy in the bathroom I had to keep busy somewhere so I painted the kitchen and tore up linoleum tiles to reveal the dark tiles underneath.

BEFORE:

Half-AFTER (eventually we are painting the cabinets, changing hardware and appliances) :

Before and...During, during, during

They always cut from before to after on HGTV and skip the during during during during during work where an entire TEAM of construction and carpentry guys come in and tear a room apart. Jason Campbell, singer, actor, photographer, computer programmer, carpenter and now plumber has torn our bathroom apart on his own. Putting it back together has taken three weeks and after countless trips to Home Depot, layers of dust and his brilliance at this work we are close to a reveal. But in the meantime it's:

BEFORE:

It started with getting a new fan. Ended with GUTTING the entire room!!!!

I had to make it extra cluttered for affect.

Eiw look how cluttered! What ugly tiles!

The medicine cabinet were totally falling apart and one side didn't even open. The vanity was so old it never felt clean. 

DURING:

Removing the vanity. I didn't have any vanity after this process. EIW.

UPDATE: DURING WHILE I WAS AWAY!!!

Woah.

Can we say war zone????

 DURING:

Adding the heated floor. Why? Because when is the next time we will be under the tiles? Never. And another popular answer is WHY NOT? 

Jason rewired the electric to make this happen. Right.

 DURING:

Tiling is fun right honey???

Laying the last tile. Looking so cute and so happy and soooo dirty!!!

Stay tuned for the big reveal after the commercial break!!!!

The Tree

There are a lot of renos going on in this little nest of ours (or maybe they are just happening in my head) and because I really feel like a nesting robin I have been inspired by a tree. What said tree you ask? This said tree:

Not sure if it will go over the bed (it's a HUGE space and a headboard just won't cut it) or in the stairwell leading to the roof with pictures of family on it. Family tree, get it???  Right. I am obsessed with this graphic designer so this one could work over the bed too.

Or of course there's always this one of the boys:

But that would have to go right over the piano for inspiration. No painting involved! Love it.

The Campbell Nest

Did I mention that I have the greatest husband in the world? Not only does he live up to this title with the various positive human attributes that I gush about daily to anyone who will listen, he is lately uncovering his abilities with a hammer, nails and a fresh coat of paint since the purchase of our condo. Here is the before and after of the main dining/living room. The only reason the "after" pictures look darker is because the room has brightened up so much that I had to pull down the exposure in my iphoto!

He stripped the paint off of the fireplace door that he found in an antiques junkyard to reveal a beautiful Victorian scene etched in metal. It was originally made in 1874 and is very Pride and Prejudice. And we all know how I feel about that.  I can go no longer without saying how ardently I admire and love you fireplace!  I am such a nerd. The rustic coffee table he made for a mere $100 out of planks from the renovated Coney Island boardwalk. I know, I know, he's cool!

I had the BEST time with him in NYC as always. We took a walk to Hoboken along the water and it is just gorgeous. I am falling more in love with this neighborhood the more we explore it!

Here is a picture of me trying to point out my ship from the New Jersey view: