My Very Own Pintrest

I still really need some clothes to add to the ol' wardrobe. I've fallen in love with simple dresses I can wear a cardigan over (being that it's winter)....

I will have to try this some time...so easy for such impact....

Decor8

I could do this too with the right planter and coniferous...inside, outside, Christmas season....

The Inspired Room

 And where in heaven's name can I find this light? Does it plug into a wall? This whole room makes me happy...

Yvonne. R.

And seriously how fabulous is this washroom? Everything sparkles and reflects light- perfect for getting ready in the morning...this may prove to endure as "dream home" material/inspiration...at least the tiles...

Finally, here Mother Earth prevails....heart warming and haunting at the same time...

Alexandra Nomoli

Creeeeeeeky Craaaaacky

"Promises are like crying babies in a theater, they should be carried out at once."  ~ Norman Vincent Peale

http://www.binscorner.com

I woke up this morning feeling like an old woman- karma for my comments to my significant last night, which went something along the lines of "How old are you? You act like an 80 year old  man."

Today, I feel what will likely grow with time to become arthritis in my hands. I once hand screwed over 100 screws into a platform bed frame in 30 degree heat well into the wee hours of the morning. My thumb joint and tendons on the right hand have never been the same.
When I walk, my left knee feels something- I don't want to say pain, I don't want to say throb, but there is a feeling there that is definitely not one associated with youth and vibrancy.
I woke up to a slight headache (though that may be the result of my recent divulge into the morning coffee scene, and my ongoing back annoyances continue (again, I hesitate to consider any of this "pain" for my ignorance of the future and actual pain is clear).

I MUST change my ways. On the eve of my 30th year, I must find a way to regain a sense of resiliency...somehow...my mind is there, I just need my body to join me.

Dear Betsy Johnson, how do you do it? c/o Project Runway: Live Journal

Merry Christmas- get yourself some Chanel

Anyone ever have a very severe and major, like life crisis issue, finding THE mascara? Well I've been there, and I thought I had found THE one...Chanel Inimitable...Then I figured "nah" that stuff is like $36, I was sure I could find something just as good for less...well I'm here to say there is no "good for less"- it's all garbage. Additionally, Chanel now has Inimitable Intense, for nights you want to enter a room all "POW" like.

Anyways, that's my PSA...Let's move on...It's Christmas time so ma house is all done up pretty like and I wish to share.

My colour code is a strict "red, blue, green, gold and white" only. I totally diss any attempts to make Christmas "tasteful"...lights and sparkles are NOT tasteful. In fact, Christmas is the only time of year you can go to town with gaudy and tacky and get away with it- so why not revel in the moment...colour colour COLOUR.

I didn't go all out this year-plus I'm hesitant to place that scratchy greenery around my freshly stained mantle and bannister.

Riddle me this….

I am asking YOU a few questions right now, feel free to answer any, or all?? 

2. What reminds you of being a kid?

For me, it's always a still crisp sunny summer days...something about the smells, the feel of the air. My mom had always kicked me and my sister outside by 9 am on days like that.

2. What makes you happy daily?

The sight of my little dog Harvey always makes me smile- ever the optimist, it doesn't matter if he's just been bad and made me mad, every time- he makes me GLAD!

Those summer days I referred to prior, also offer instant happiness.

3. Name 8 people that would comprise the most random dinner party ever!

I'd like to have Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the beautiful Adam Levine from Maroon 5, Sarah Richardson from HGTV, Randy from "Say Yes to the Dress", Quarterback Aaron Rogers from the Green Bay Packers, my sister, Prince Harry, and Terry Grant- the Mantracker

ABCs Of Joa

Age: 29
Best Vacation: two stand out for very different reasons. A trip to Guadalajara region with my dad to visit my aunt and uncle after I graduated from University. It was 3 weeks, we got a serious feel for Mexican culture, spent some time in Puerto Vallarta, toured the vast city of Guad, stayed at my family's farm- great memories. The other was last year- Maui with the boy. Our first true vacation together and his first time in Maui.

We stayed on the Kaanapaali side, Westin Resort and Spa. I prefer condos for longer trips but I really wanted Jesse to love his first time in Maui. I've stayed in a number of places on Maui and I prefer this area as it's not too pretentious, friendly, busy and yet still has all the right Hawaiian loveliness.


Chore you hate: I really hate UNloading the dishwasher for some reason.
Dogs or Cats: I love them all, until recently I would have said cat, but we got a little Harvey last year, and I now understand the appeal of the doggy.

Essential start to the day:I haven't really developed one. I enjoy the social aspect of having a coffee or tea but I don't require either. I guess so long as I get some time in with Harvey before the day starts.

Favourite flower: There is a hot pink peony plant at my parent's cabin. LOVE it. I also enjoy lilacs.
Greatest film: I can watch 16 Candles any time any where as many times as is possible.
Height: 5'6
Instruments (you play or have played): Took piano up to grade 10 Royal Conservatory. Can't wait for this new house so I can maybe move my piano from my parents to MY house!

Job you'd love to have: Interior designer or free-lance writer (I'd need some other form of income to make that work LOL).

Kids: Nope
Live: Alberta, Canada
Mom's name: Wait, her name isn't 'Mom'? Ahaha
Nickname: Joa!
Overnight hospital stays: A couple nights when I was wee
Pet Peeves: SOOOO many- pedestrians who forget a car slamming into them will hurt if not kill, bicyclists, people who expect everyone else to take care of them and can't just work hard to support themselves, personal grooming at the dinner table, the idea that parents raise children indoors on TVs and electronics and in so many organized activities that there is no concept of creativity or imagination, people who drive in the fast lane when they should most definitely be in the slow lane, parents or pet owners who assume I love their child/dog as much as they do when really I want them to stop starring at me/singing/sitting next to me/jumping on me/peeing on my lawn etc. Okay that's enough this is supposed to be a blog about what JOA LIKES;)

Quote: "People who count their chickens before they are hatched, act very wisely, because chickens run about so absurdly that it is impossible to count them accurately."- Oscar Wilde

Right or left handed: Not wrong
Siblings: sister
Time you wake up: involuntarily at 7:00 am or 9-10 on weekends:)
University attended: Univeristy of Alberta
Vegitables you dislike: I start disliking them if they are cooked, but I sort of like all of them I guess depending on the dish.

What makes you run late: the boy- I'm usually early. Oh or sometimes my hair...being so fine it doesn't hold a style very well and I get frustrated.

X-rays: Yup, including basic ones during dental check-ups.
Yummy food you make: I make a mean apple pie from scratch and I've been told my lasagna is the bomb. For me, I enjoy eating my tortilla bean soup the most (maybe will post a recipe one day).

Zoo animal: I recently enjoyed feeding some giraffes this summer so developed a new appreciation for them....I love me some bear- panda bears, grizzly bears, polar bears whatever. AND I think those little Red Pandas are the cutest little things.

The Grizzlies at Colorado Springs Zoo

Okay Okay Okay

I know- what the duece where did I go...well I was getting anxious so I stopped house obsessing and tried keeping busy and it was a good thing because now- the house is complete! We are moving in this weekend:) WOOO HOOOO
SO Excited. No pictures for now as I'm bored of posting what is to me- the same thing over and over again. Bad news in that we had to order new pendants for the kitchen as the cool ones I really liked were back ordered a zillion years off but I found ones I like more. Otherwise everything is great. Okay...lied, here are some pics.

living room

kitchen- duh

laundry room pre-appliances

ensuite master bathroom!

Anyways here are some inspirational pics I've gathered to help me out once I get to start decorating...

I want to get organized- great idea for storing in bathroom

We've got shelving in the closet- baskets anyone?

I can't remember where I found this image but i wonder if my horse would pose so I could recreate this.

Another mystery image that inspires me to recreate for my boy's office

Baskets for the pantry too? Maybe!

Regardless, once I'm in I want to settle in and get cozy, ready to face a long shitty winter. These images speak worlds to me...

Was this Chanel? I will have to research further

More likely my style...and more obtainable

Okay peace out...I've got more daydreaming of cozy home to do....

Blankity Blank Blank

A revelation: I used to reguarly write stories, poems songs, draw faces, people...At some point I lost my inspiration though. Perhaps the innocence associated with youth or lack of life experience, but the creative flare is simply- no longer there (oooh). I hope that once I settle back into a home, and set up my "room", I will be able to enjoy this simple past time again.
I struggle with writing a blog. What to I write? Perhaps eventually, this will change too- perhaps a part of it is that I don't work well typing in front of a computer, but I do quite well on pencil to paper...should I write it first? Oh I can find a topic easily enough, but that was my JOA THINKS blog days- depressing subjects of why or how the world sucks and my most negative outlook on finding solutions (ie, don't approach the government to assist you with finances- put the cigarette out, sell the little dog and its shitty doggy outfits, cancel the caller ID option, etc. etc. and save your own expenses).
But as far as finding good, inspiring, happy, joyful, creative topics? Blah- maybe I'm just simply a killjoy.

On to the house- granite is in, paint is on the wall, flooring and tile is done. We went with Cedar Key, Hazy Skies, Grey Cashmere, and Kingsport Grey- all from Benjamin Moore. CK in the spare bedrooms and downstairs bathroom, Hazy in the living space upstairs, GC in the Master Bed and Bath + Laundry Room, and Kingsport in the living space downstairs. LOVE IT ALL.

A view from downstairs.

The exterior is complete too. This weekend we shall shop for couches. I cannot wait much longer- I'm going loonie in the little house we are in. I have this stockpile folder of things I've found and wish to address for the blog- styles, hair, interiors, but I'm never at home to post- I need to try and spend more time. Or do I- maybe it's a good thing I have time to think, but not to type.