This is just a friendly reminder...

I don't know about you, but I am so very blessed... <3

House Hunters

Way back when, in one of my Friday / happy weekend posts, I casually slipped in that House Hunters was filming one of the houses Nate built in Manayunk, PA... 

For those of you not familiar with the show, the premise of House Hunters is this: Each episode, a realtor takes the potential homebuyer(s) through 3 homes.  After each showing, the homebuyer comments on what he/she/they liked and disliked about the property.  And in the end, they make a decision and put an offer on the one they like best. 

(Spoiler alert - the potential buyers / show contestants must already have a house under contract to take part in filming!  And likely they've already purchased their home before filming begins!)

Anyways, one day back in December a local realtor whose clients were going to be featured on the show stopped by while Nate was outside working on the house.  He took her through and she not only loved it, she thought it would be perfect for the show!  So, she submitted his house along with 4 others to be considered for the two additional options (in addition to the one her clients were buying)...and his was ultimately picked!

The production company came and filmed in February...and the episode aired this past Friday night!!

So why did I not tell you all this before?  Well, I wanted to respect my husband's wishes.  While the house is absolutely gorgeous (!!!), we had literally no idea what the prospective couple would say about the house or how House Hunters would spin their comments / reactions.  We got to be there the day of filming - it was SO exciting! - but couldn't stay in the room (for sound reasons) when they filmed the couples responses.  And you know reality TV - they'll take one extreme comment, good or bad, and run with it!  So I understood why Nate wanted to wait and see the episode before adding the tag line "as seen on House Hunters" to his resume / network.

Anyways, he had NOTHING to worry about, because the show was amazing!  The couple loved the house and it showed beautifully!!  I really couldn't have been more proud of my oh so talented husband for his 5 minutes (literally) of fame!

For those (or all) or you who didn't watch, here are some pictures:

This stylish, 21' wide, brand-new contemporary town home with 2-car parking offers unbelievable value! Open and spacious with energy-saving windows, hardwood floors and recessed lighting throughout. Corner lot with windows on 3 sides. High-ceiling, open plan main floor combines living/dining area with a sleek kitchen w/large pantry closet, huge island, double sink with gourmet faucet, quartz counters, under-cabinet lighting, mosaic tile backsplashes and energy-efficient stainless steel appliances, including wine fridge. Sliding glass doors lead to grass back yard. 2 large bedrooms with tons of closet space, laundry and modern bath with custom tile and quartz counters on 2nd floor. Spacious 3rd floor master suite includes spa-like bath with dual vanity, vessel sinks with wall faucets and shower with frameless glass enclosure, and bi-level deck with access to huge roof deck with fabulous views. Fully carpeted basement with powder room. Close to Manayunk shopping, dining, movies & entertainment; short walk to Wissahickon Regional Rail station.

3734 Sharp St. Manayunk, PA

Open 1st floor plan

Gorgeous kitchen

Master Bath



Master bedroom



Master closet

Finished Basement

Amazing roof top views

And this is the official episode description from the HGTV website:

Summer camp director, Josh, and his wife, Natalie, are hoping to buy their first home in the Philadelphia area. But while he dreams of the ultimate backyard, she dreams of low maintenance condo living. In a search that takes them to the city, the burbs, and everywhere in between, Josh may find himself outgunned by his vocal and opinionated wife.

The episode pretty much played out just like that...  Natalie wanted a new construction town home close to Philadelphia.  She loved Nate's house so much she said "If I work my magic I'll be able to convince Josh this is the one."  Amaze!  (She also complained about the possibility of having to mow her own lawn so many times I almost slapped her through the TV)

Josh, on the other hand, wanted a single family home with a backyard....and to stick to their budget.  In the end, they "compromised" and bought a relatively newer town home 40 minutes outside of Philadelphia with a shared backyard.  (Marriage at its finest people!)

So, I apologize to those who may have wanted to tune in...but this post will just have to do!  I promise to give you a heads up the next time it airs or is available online!

Congratulations, Nate!  I love you!

P.S. How lucky am I to have this guy building our new house?!  The luckiest!

SUNday Post #18

(Via SweetandSaucyShop.com)

My Best Friends Wedding!

It's here!  It's finally here!  My best friends wedding weekend has (almost) officially begun! 

Kathryn - I can't tell you how excited I am to see you walk down the aisle on Saturday, and I am so honored to stand by your side as you did mine.  I wish you and Luis a lifetime of love and happiness <3 

 

one of my favorite candids of us from my wedding...

All my love! xoxo

Our New House: Update #3

Today, we finally started framing!  :)  Yes, I know in my last update two weeks ago I said this would happen "any day now" but turns out, Ocean City was even slower than we thought and we just got our building permit on Friday (!!). 

And thennnn our framing crew didn't show up on Tuesday.  So, we're just getting started now!  Like I said before, timelines are more like rough estimates in construction! 

Anyways, since I don't have much or an update or many pictures to share right now, I thought I'd share a little bit about our decision to build.  (And you'll finally get a sneak peek at what our new house will look like!)

We made the decision when we bought our first house in Ocean City in November 2009, but building our own home has been a dream of ours since before we met.  So when we bought our first house, we bought it for its location (great street, right across from the bay) with the hopes that we would be fortunate enough to be able to knock it down in Spring 2012.  Ambitious? Yes.  But somewhat realistic? Yes! 

Our little beach cottage by the bay...

View from our kitchen / front porch

But when we started investigating the process to knock down our house last November / December, we quickly learned how crazy Ocean City zoning laws are...and found out our lot was unbuildable (without a variance, or 6+ additional months plus $$$ lawyer fees).  Basically even though all the new houses on our street are set back only 12 ft. from the curb (zoning varies by street in OC, so the general rule of thumb is to look at the newest house on your block), the zoning law stated our lot required 25 feet.  And with a lot size of only 65 ft, you do the math.

Disappointed, we began exploring our options.  We could go for the variance but that meant we wouldn't be able to start building until the fall... Or we could look for another lot or tear down opportunity in Ocean City.  So, we decided to explore both until we were ready to decide.

Luckily, and I really mean that because there aren't many vacant lots in Ocean City, there was a lot for sale 3 blocks away that we had been on the market for little while.  It was much bigger than the lot our current house sits on, which meant we could build an even bigger house.  Although we didn't love the street as much as our current one - our old house is on Pleasure Ave which is so beautiful and wide - the fact that we could buy the lot much cheaper than what we bought our our house for made our decision a little bit easier.  (More $$ for my construction budget, right Nate?!)  Plus this time we'd be one of the newer houses on the block, not the little beach shack!

We made an offer two days before Christmas and we were under contract by New Years.

Now, the funny / ironic part.  After all the years of talking and planning our dream beach home...our ONLY requirement was that it was not "barn style".  We wanted beach modern and hip roof lines.  But again, Ocean City Zoning is a funny beast.  After our first meeting with our architect we realized that the best way to maximize our square footage (mainly on our 3rd floor) would be to have that "barn style" roof line. 

It took some convincing not to sacrifice square footage over aesthetics, but we both eventually agreed this was the way to go.  And to be honest, it's really growing on me!  I am so excited for it!

Our NEW house!

(I'll tell you more about the floor plans as we continue with construction...  But this should be a good start as I start posting pictures of framing.)

Barn style and all, I can't tell you how many times we catch ourselves thanking God and each other for our blessings - we know this is a privilege and not something most people get to do in their lifetime.  And I now know this is something I could never undertake without Nate.

But our next house (because with my husband, I know this is not our last),  you bet your ass it won't look be this style!  :)

Craft of the Week: Lilly Pulitzer Bangle Bracelets

This past weekend, my sister and I crafted, not exactly together, but together from afar.  It's the best we could do when we're in need of a craft fix and can't get together!!

Anyways, I had seen an idea for mod podge bangle bracelets on Pinterest and knew right away we could use our (dwindling) stash of Lilly Pulitzer cocktail napkins to make our own!  You know how much I love a good mod podge craft...(here) and (here)...and any accessory with a great Lilly print!

For mine, I used a tan acrylic bangle that I had laying around from an URBN sample sale (basically for free) since I wasn't exactly sure how it'd turn out...and was feeling a bit lazy with all the Sunday rain.  Em went to JoAnns and bought a silver bangle for $4.  And I think that is the way to go - while mine turned out great, I love how hers has a shine to it from the underlying metal, and I think the darker surface made her napkin colors look even brighter!!

(Emily's bracelet is featured above; mine is below using leftover Floaters print napkins from Kathryn's bridal shower).

So yes, I will be heading to JoAnns and my local Lilly store (for my napkins, of course!) this weekend because I'm dying to make more!  I think I have a few girlfriends who I would like one of these beauties!

Supplies Needed:

• Bangle bracelet
• Lilly Pulizter cocktail napkin (only need 1 in your favorite print!)
• Mod Podge
• Foam Brush
• Scissors 

Directions:

1. Napkins typically have two (or three) layers - one with the print/color, and one (or two) white layers for added absorbency.  For this craft, you only need the printed layer so the first step is carefully to peel apart the napkin. 

2. Cut the napkin into into 3/4" x 3" strips. 

  

3. Once you have about 10-12 pieces ready, paint a section of your bracelet with mod podge using your foam brush.  Then carefully place the napkin on top of the glue at a diagonal - this helps prevent folds and bubbles in the napkin as it dries to the curve of the bracelet.  Fold ends inside and cut. 

As you repeat, remember you want as little overlap as possible, as even the smallest overlap will be amplified in color once you add your glue.

4. I glued the napkin strips onto about 80% of the bracelet and then applied a top layer of mod podge. Then, I let it completely dry before doing the remaining section.

Titanic

With the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic last week and the 3-D version of the infamous movie now playing (for limited time) in the move theaters, I couldn't help but post this:

"There was plenty of room on the god damn door, Rose!"

I think it's pretty hysterical, don't you?!

P.S. People didn't know the Titanic was a true story?!!