Weekend Recap + Dining Room Update

People: You won't believe what I woke up to this morning...

No. Not the temperature inside. I'm talking about the top left corner with the outside temperature. Let's just say the snuggle bed - of which I'm particularly famous for - was in FULL effect this morning. The duvet was in strong cocoon mode, the sun decided to barely make itself present until I was wide awake, and it's gray and rainy outside as I write this. This, friends, is absolute bliss when you're 9 months pregnant and eternally radiating heat from the bun in the oven.

This past weekend flew by - especially when you realize we really only have two - three - weekends tops left as a little family of 2 (or 4. Depending how you count it.) This past weekend was our Theta Alumnae Chapter Garage Sale so Saturday was a long day of wheeling and dealing all in the name of raising some dinero for Court Appointed Special Advocates. The only problem was it rained, and rained, and rained - so the crowds didn't really turn out as we'd hoped. Nonetheless, we've raised about $3,500 this year for char-i-tayyyy and that's what counts. However, my feet, ankles and knees did not appreciate the manual labor on Saturday night.

We plowed forward with getting the dining room arranged. Mr. B and one of his awesome colleagues picked up the table + chairs on Friday afternoon so Saturday afternoon we did a quick clean, moved the rug into the room and arranged everything. I didn't get any pictures with the two leaves in, but everything fits perfectly at it's largest, and it's nice and compact without the leaves for day-to-day use. Next up - some pictures and a buffet and we can call it a day on this room!

The rug - which was also an auction find - was temporarily in the living room

but now lives full time in the dining room.

Excuse the mess on the kitchen island lurking through the doorway.

I really need to Scotchguard those chairs before they attract a red wine spill or gravy mess. I plan to get them reupholstered but who knows when that will happen...

And lastly, we made some progress with the final nursery arrangements this weekend but nothing to share just yet. It's still a work in progress, but there are a few shelves up and some adorable purple lanterns hanging in the corner. You will see soon enough...

Happy Monday friends! 



Buy my house?

The Anniversary Home is officially on the market!

In fact, we have our first viewing this afternoon. I did a special tidy/clean last night, bought some pretty flowers and made sure to leave all the lights on this morning when I left for work. We'll see how long before my enthusiasm runs dry and I'm scrambling last minute to throw junk in drawers to make the house look decent. 

So friends, if you know anyone who wants to buy a beautiful Victorian farmhouse in Pennsylvania, please send them my blog or email. I'd be happy to put the hard sell on them tell them more about this fabulous house.

I mean, who wouldn't want to live here?

This vintage style Victorian with wraparound porch was the original home of the Mayor of the town and located in a great school district. Recent updates have made this home comfortable and inviting. New designer kitchen with Thomasville cabinets, farmhouse sink, over-sized center island, high-end stainless steel appliances, granite and new hardwood floors. Formal dining room adjacent to kitchen with tall pillars defining the space. Formal living room with hardwood floors and gorgeous wood pocket doors. Climb the grand, rich wood staircase to the second floor featuring a large main suite with a wall of windows, second bedroom and library / office with full hall bath. Third floor features two additional bedrooms, both generous in size and rich in woodworking. Existing stable barn, prime for renovations as family annex and currently acting as storage and two car garage. Home features hardwood floors throughout most of home, new roof, new gutters, new chimney capping, new carpets, new sand mound, well tank, etc.

The thing I don't like about Fall

As I was rushing out the house this morning - and I do mean rushing - I caught a glimpse of this awful sight from the front door.

Yes, the colors of the leaves are beautiful. Fall is here.

But my weekend plans just drastically altered for the worse. There is nothing fun about raking leaves. And the worst part? As soon as you get them all cleared up, they magically reappear. Homeownership. Argh. So much for my day at the mall looking for cute new brown boots...

PS: Only a few hours left until the giveaway ends. Get your comments in now to win the TAH wreath!

First giveaway!!

It's time! The day is finally here!

Thanks to Lenzi over at Homemade Happiness, I'm really excited to announce a new "first" here at The Anniversary Home.... a giveaway! Who doesn't love free stuff?

If yall follow Lenzi, and I know you do, you'll know she has a budding little business called Reba's Wreaths on Etsy. What? You haven't checked it out yet? Shame on you.

I'm in full-swing fall mode these days, so when I went to pull out my fall wreath from last year, I decided it was time for an update. What's a girl to do when she needs a new wreath? And don't you even say "Make a trip to Hobs Lobs or Michael's". That's sooooo generic. And the hubs/boyfriend/bank manager won't like you spending your hard earned dollars on something you can get for freeeeeeee...

Lenzi was kind enough to make a special wreath for The Anniversary Home. One-of-a-kind!

Actually, two. One for you and one for me.

Ooooooh, you like? Cause I'm obsessed. And think, we can have matching wreaths!

So, here's how it works:

There's two ways to enter:

1. Leave a comment here. Say what you feel like. You love/hate this blog. You think Lenzi's an all-star. You really need this wreath. Go Frogs. Whatever you want, just comment and be nice.

2. Give Lenzi and me a shout out on your blog encouraging others to enter this giveaway. This blogging world is pretty amazing and I promise if you show us some love, we'll reciprocate and show you some love too. (Just drop me a note so I know!)

I'll make this pretty easy too. I'll ship this pretty lil' thing anywhere in the world. What what? Rewind, you read that correctly. Anywhere in the world. You live in the outback down under? No problem. (Hi Julie!) We're crossing borders and going international here.

Make sure to get your entries in by Thursday, October 13th at midnight EST. That's a whole week yall. Get going!

Happy Friday and Happy Fall!

Lots of love,
The Anniversary Home and Homemade Happiness
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First Giveaway & Random Friday Thoughts

Stay tuned for details next week! I've never done one of these bad boys before - heck, I've never even won one when I've been on the other side - but there's a first time for everything. I'll be teaming up with my friend Lenzi over at Homemade Happiness to spoil some lucky winner with a special treat. But, like I said, you'll have to check back next week!

I can't get over how beautiful the weather is today. The leaves are starting to change, there's a crisp breeze in the air and October is just around the corner. I'll be honest, it's days like this when I don't miss Texas. Fall is my favorite season.

Last Friday, we went to Kirk & Susie's wedding up in NYC. Kirk and Mr. B are colleagues and we were so happy to spend the day with them. As it was getting close to ceremony time, it started to rain (that's all it's been doing around here lately it seems) but it made for a really romantic and intimate wedding.

Have you ever seen wedding flowers this beautiful?

Please pardon the "self" picture with an iPhone.

We walked out of the reception and when I looked up, all I could think was:

Holy Batman, We're in Gotham City!



Lastly, remember a while ago when I told yall about the Toilet Paper Graffiti Artist? Well, lo and behold, she struck again. Except this time, it was a team of artists, and they made a special toilet paper face to celebrate our anniversary. I actually laughed so hard I cried when I saw this work of art. It's now sitting on a bookcase shelf for all to see when they stop by my office.

Nothing says Happy Anniversary from your colleagues like a decorated roll of toilet paper.

I love my work friends.

I hope you all are enjoying beautiful fall weather too and have lots of fun plans for the weekend. Mr. B and I have a few house projects to tackle. It's finally time to say goodbye to the crazy green 70's carpet upstairs. I hope to have some before and after's to share with yall next week.

And don't forget the giveaway!