Category Archives: Just For Fun

Wishful Thinking

Categories: Just For Fun

It’s hard to believe that my birthday is less than 2 weeks away (Nov. 11)…this past year held a lot of major changes.  Between buying a house, restoring a house, moving, starting a new job, living apart from my husband for a summer, starting a new business, celebrating our first anniversary, and having ankle reconstruction surgery, I’d say I packed just about as much as possible into this past year.

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Each year, my mom asks for a birthday/Christmas list from me, and as a non-stop list maker, I’m happy to oblige!  Here are the things that top my list this year.  (Although a few are ridiculously priced and I would never actually ask for them!)

PicMonkey Collage2014 Day Planner, Michelle Armas “That Bowtie I Like” Print, Cards Against Humanity, Crate & Barrel Canister Set, Custom Address Stamp, Urban Outfitters Coverlet,Michelle Armas “Sabrina” Print, Ikea Agen Chair (x2), London Fog Tote

PicMonkey Collage1Ophelia Cocktail Ring, Jeffrey Campbell Rosemore Booties (LLL pic), Ballard Designs Ryland Sconce (x2), Steel Cubist Brass Side Table, Sole Society Phoebe Clutch, iRobot Roomba, Mikasa Love Story Christmas China (still need 6 place settings), Restoration Hardware Faux Fur Throw, Tory Burch Kiernan Riding Boot

What’s on your list this year?

Ghostly Homes

Categories: Just For Fun

Let’s just get this out there:  I love Halloween!  I’m crazy about scary movies (even when I know I won’t sleep for a week!), and I love hearing all of the ghost stories and scary tales that always seem to pick up around this time of year.

Haunted houses always remind me of the time I visited the Winchester Mansion in San Jose, California.  I spent hours in there, and was so intrigued by the story behind this haunted mansion.  Long story short, the house belonged to the Winchester family, who owned the Winchester rifle manufacturing company.  Sarah Winchester lost her husband and child, and went a little mad.  It is said that the mansion is haunted by all those killed by the Winchester rifle, and Sarah consulted with the spirits nightly to help her decide on building plans.  This may explain the miles (yes, miles!) of twisting hallways and stairs that lead nowhere, and the complete lack of mirrors in the house.  If you ever make it to San Jose, I would definitely recommend visiting!

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Halloween is just around the corner, so in that spirit (pardon the pun), I thought I would share some interesting haunted historical homes.

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This Old House found 10 beautiful historic homes across the country that offer mystery and ghost tours this time of year.  You can see them all here.

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Franklin Castle in Cleveland, OH is said to be one of the most haunted houses in the country.  From the deaths of many infants to the mass murder of a group of Nazis, this house has a colorful history that can still be felt in the house.

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The LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans is acclaimed as the most haunted house in the city.  The story goes that in the early 1800s, Madame LaLaurie would torture her slaves in the attic of the mansion.  Since Madame LaLaurie was chased out of town, no one has been able to occupy the house for any length of time.  Today, it is said that the screams of her victims can be heard throughout the house, and many have seen both Madame LaLaurie and her victims throughout the years.

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Luckily, we have never felt an uneasiness, or any energy at all, in our Park Avenue house.  But, if we did, chances are we would be related to the spirit!  Charles and I do plan to have the house blessed before we move in, just to bring positive and loving energy into our forever home.  (If anyone has ever had their house blessed, I’d love to hear about!)

Which house/story is your favorite?  Would you ever visit a haunted house?  Would you ever LIVE in a haunted house?

Columbus Day Shopping

Categories: Just For Fun

Happy Columbus Day, friends!!

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Because no one really seems to know the point of Columbus Day, I like to think it’s about my favorite past-time…shopping!!  Here are some awesome home, furniture, and decor sales going on right now.  Hurry, many of these end tonight!! :)

1. Rugs USA is offering 65% off on a ton of rugs until Friday.  And US shipping is always free!  I bought this charcoal one last week…for $52!!  I think it will looks great in the den or in a guest bedroom.

2. Serena & Lily is offering 20% off everything through tomorrow.  Use code HEART20 at checkout.

3. Ballard Designs is offering 15% off all bar stools (through midnight) and 15% off all rugs (through next Monday, 10/21).  I want this rug so badly for the office, but I don’t think 15% off is going to help me here!

4. Restoration Hardware is offering an extra 10% off all clearance items through midnight.  Use code EXTRA10 at checkout.

5. Urban Outfitters is offering an extra 50% off sale items through midnight.  They have a lot of great bedding options on sale!

6. Pottery Barn is offering up to 60% off on select items, plus free shipping on orders through midnight when you use code FREESHIP.  I think these pumpkins would be a great fall addition to any home!

7. The Company Store is offering 30% off your highest ticketed item when you buy 3 or more items through midnight.  Use code K13BUY3 at checkout. 

8. Art.com is offering 25% off all orders through tomorrow.  Use code YUNA927 at checkout. 

Also, a lot of stores like West Elm, Kirkland’s, Pier 1, Crate & Barrel, and Mark & Graham are offering free shipping today!

And last but not least, be sure to check out The Remedy House for new items being posted soon!!

By the Numbers

Categories: Just For Fun

As an accountant (and as my father’s daughter), I tend to always need to put numbers to things. You can count on me to create a spreadsheet or a list for just about anything, and this house has been no different.  I won’t tell you the number of spreadsheets or lists I have (hint: it’s A LOT), but here are a few numbers that I want to remember.

5: number of days it took to negotiate the selling price with the bank

3: number of months we were under contract before closing

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4: number of contractors we interviewed

14: number of pages submitted for the NC Historic Preservation tax credit application

57: number of meticulously labelled photos submitted with NC Historic Preservation tax credit application

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6: number of other 702 Park Avenue’s I find interesting (there’s probably many more, but these were my faves!)

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111: number of years since the house was built

3526: number of square feet in the house

16: number of rooms

4: number of bedrooms

14: ceiling height in feet for most rooms in the house

35: number of doors in the house

32: number of windows in the house (not counting the attic or the basement)

8: number of fireplaces in the house

4: number of screen doors

3: number of bathrooms we are renovating

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1: number of bathrooms we are adding

2: number of walls we’re knocking down

1: number of exterior doors closed in

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1: number of windows uncovered

2: number of thefts we’ve had

3: number of trees removed

9: number of interior paint colors picked out (so far)

3: number of exterior colors picked out

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4: number of coats of exterior paint

116: number of blog posts about the house

31: number of Pinterest boards dedicated to the house

60: number of Shutterfly photo albums dedicated to the house (so far)

3: number of items that restoring this house checks off my bucket list

4: number of months we thought it would take to finish

9: number of months it will most likely take to finish

1: number of dream houses we will have when we finish

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