We're Back... to Square One

Hi readers!  It's been a while since you've heard from us due to the insanity that is life at our home(s), but we're trying to focus on moving forward, and what better way to do so than to get back to blogging?!  It's so cathartic to blog -- sharing makes the tough things seem less scary and the positive occurrences seem even more great!

The past month has been really hard due to what can only be described as the worst painting experience ever in history.  Unfortunately, it seems our uphill battle continues: the potential buyers interested in our beloved 1 bedroom condo have terminated their purchase contract due to their inability to obtain a mortgage.  We had a feeling this was coming, since the process has dragged on for months, but now it's official.  We have re-listed the unit for sale and will be re-listing for rent as well.  This is definitely not the outcome we were hoping for, but we're pushing on and hoping that another buyer comes out of the wood work asap!  Wish us luck!

Source

Due to the chaos that ensued throughout November, we had to postpone our move, but we're finally getting back on track and will hopefully be moving later this month.  Now that we're in December, I'm wishing for a change of pace.  Hopefully we can lose our bad luck like the trees are losing leaves.  I know I must be on the "nice" list so hopefully Santa will help grant some of my home-related Christmas wishes this year.

Oh, it's so good to be back...

Basic Window Coverings

We want to get some nice drapes for the balcony doors in each room to customize the rooms a bit, but just for privacy to hold us over until we get those, I ordered some sheer curtain panels for the master bedroom, living/dining area and guest bedroom.

Source

Originally $28 per panel, I nabbed them on sale at jcpenney.com for $12.99 each PLUS an extra 20% off!  Talk about a deal... the amount I saved actually surpassed the amount I spent.  Let's hope they're as pretty as they were a bargain!  ;)

Some Good Deals!

Hi readers, I have 2 great money-saving deals to share with you!

The first item is a coupon code worth 40% off any 1 regular-priced item from Land's End + free shipping on your order, but you have to act fast because the code expires tonight 10/21/2011 at midnight CST!  The great thing about ordering from the Land's End online catalog is that you can return the items to any Sears store without having to pay return shipping.  Those of you who know me know how much I love me some free-shipping-free-returns-online-shopping-deals!  In fact, I may or may not have already purchased a new pair of winter boots for myself using this code.  ;)

The second is a 15 piece cookware set + triple bonus PLUS $30 rebate from JC Penney for less than $34!

Source

The set is originally $149.99, but is currently on sale for $74.99 (50% off).  Code BESTOCT drops the price an extra 15% to $63.74 and the website is offering a $30 AmEx gift card for purchasing this item, making the final cost only $33.74!  77% off?!?!?!  Now that's what I call a deal!  The jcpenney website reviews give this set an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.  Not bad!

Happy shopping!

Master Bath Light Fixtures? Check!

Look out "To Do List", here we (finally) come!  We finally found wall sconces for our new master bathroom that we both liked enough to order!  Woo to the hoo!

Thomas Lighting SL7581 Homestead Bathroom Light

Well that only took a few months and a little time dozens of hours spent searching online!  Although the plumbing fixtures in the bathroom are currently polished bronze, we'd like to eventually change them out for chrome-colored fixtures, which is why we decided to order a chrome-colored wall sconce.  Here are some other options that didn't make the cut:

Efficient Lighting EL-303 Wall Sconce

Matte Black 54-4858 Single Bulb Wall Sconce

Maxim Lighting 11807ICBK Wall Sconce

Z-Lite 139-1S Windsor Wall Sconce

The many uses of... Baking Soda!

Baking Soda is a standard household item that serves many purposes.  You can use it to deodorize your refrigerator, freshen carpets, clean stainless steel, loosen grease from pans, remove marks from walls, exfoliate your skin, stop sneakers from smelling, and more!  All that for under $1?  That's what I call a bargain!  Affordable and chemical-free to boot.  Download your own handy guide here!

Source

Beer and Honey Chili

I just came across this recipe on www.thursdaynightdinner.org and it sounds so yummy I wanted to share it!

Beer and Honey Chili

by stephania stanley

Source:  www.thursdaynightdinner.org

What you need:

1 ½ lbs ground turkey meat

1 ½ bottles of beer (ambers are great)

¼ cup honey

2 28 oz cans of crushed tomatoes

2 6 oz cans of tomato paste

1 16 oz black beans, rinsed and drained

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbs chili powder

1 ½ tsp cumin

1 tsp cayenne

1 Tbsp olive oil

Grated Parmesan (optional)

What to do:

In a large soup pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add onions and sauté for three minutes.  Add garlic and sauté for an additional three minutes.  Next add the turkey meat.  Mix often to ensure meat is cooked thoroughly and sauté for about ten minutes or until meat is cooked through.  Carefully pour fat out of pot (making sure to leave onions, garlic, and turkey in the pot).  Return pot to heat.  Add one bottle of beer, honey, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne to turkey mixture.  Stir to mix and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.  Now it’s time to add the remaining beer, but add to taste.  Simmer for an additional 30 minutes and then add black beans.  Stir to mix and simmer for a final 30 minutes.  Serve in big bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan.  Serves 8-10.

New Floors!!!

As Nicole already reported, we decided to refinish our hardwood floors before moving into the new apartment. We were pretty nervous about the whole process since one contractor we met with for an estimate said he didn't like refinishing the type of floors we have because "they never come out good". Gulp. Needless to say, we didn't choose that company, but that we were pretty nervous after meeting with Mr. Doom-and-Gloom that the finished product wouldn't meet our expectations regardless of which contractor we hired. Worse yet, we were worried that we'd have to replace all of the floors entirely if the sanding caused more trouble than it cured. Well, I'm happy to report that wasn't the case...

Our new floors are done thanks to KBD floors, and they look great! KBD sanded and then refinished all of our floors, so all of the dings, nicks, stains, scratches and faded coloring are gone.

Here are just a few glimpses of the before & after views...

Before (Floors damages from old water leakage)

After (Looks brand new!)

*****

Before (Paint or something sticky on floors)

After (No more paint or sticky!)

*****

Before (Kitchen)

After (Kitchen)

Check out more before, during and after pictures here! Hooray - we can FINALLY cross an item off of our to-do list!