SOLD

Bittersweet is the word that comes to mind as I start to type this post. A mixture of pleasure and pain - that's definitely how I feel - as I tell you that we've sold our house.

Yup, you heard me right. 

The house that brought Designing Domesticity to life and helped to create my design business; 

The house that both my girls took their first steps in;

The house that we've refurbished room by room;

The house that I coveted so dearly during our 5 years abroad

SOLD.

I still can't quite believe it.

It's no secret that the real estate market is hot, hot, hot right now. So we decided to test the waters - and then jumped right into the deep end before we really even knew what happened. 

When our realtors (Team Mangel from @Properties) told us it would go fast, I didn't really believe them. But, they are good (no, great!) at what they do and I should have listened. 

One day of showings resulted in an offer that we just could not refuse. So, now we are moving on, with an overwhelming sense of bittersweet-ness in our hearts.

I can't wait to share more about our selling experience, what's in store next and our buying experience with you...so stay tuned. 

until next time, 

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Loving This Week

It's my birthday weekend, y'all. And I have so much to be grateful for and to celebrate!

Like these beautiful cherry trees in full bloom on our front lawn. 

And, this big girl that recently completed Jr. Kindergarten and had her first ballet recital. 

And, this little monkey that has finally started walking and tries her hardest to get into everything!

Next week is Miss T's 5th birthday and plans are in full swing. I'll have more to share next week. 

Hope you have a great holiday weekend!

until next time, 

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What We Ate

Thanks for all the lovely comments about our backyard patio and our first BBQ. It really was a wonderful evening - perfect weather and a perfectly blooming crabtree. Not to mention some seriously good food. 

I'm sure you've heard that you're not supposed to try new recipes out on guest, but I say... why not? So we did. And they all turned out great. Of course, I am willing to share so you won't have to risk it! ha.

I ran across this easy, no kneading bread recipe on the Polished Pebble last week. As you know, Mr. DD is the baker around here but when he turned his nose up at this recipe, I decided to try it out myself. 

It's so easy, even I could do it. You really must try it. In fact, I've already made my second loaf!

Next on the new recipe trial list was Pork Tenderloins with Balsamic Strawberries, originally featured in Southern Living magazine. Where to even start with this one? Bacon wrapped tenderloins basted with a reduced balsamic and strawberry preserve marinade, topped with fresh strawberries. Best of all, everything can be prepared and cooked in 30 minutes on the grill. Including the beans. Perfection. 

And finally, for dessert, we tried this Three Layer Berry and Brown Sugar Pavlova. We're no strangers to pavlovas in these parts, but this is the first multi-layered, cake pan baked, brown sugar pav we're tried and I'll tell you, it did not disappoint.

I hope you try some of these recipes at your next BBQ. 

until next time, 

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Inaugural Patio Party

It's official. We opened our patio this weekend with an inaugural BBQ. Let the season of al fresco entertaining and cooking begin. 

Perfect timing, right? 

Considering I just pinned and posted loads of patio images. It's almost like I planned it. 
Don't you just love when it all comes together?

Since it was all looking so lovely, I decided to snap a couple pics and show you around. 

This year, just like in my inspiration pictures, I am trying to incorporate more bright colors and interesting patterns to give a bit of umph to our traditional patio set. 

For the party, I layered the table with two tablecloths - the top one is vinyl, which is so practical for outdoor entertaining. I also brought out a set of wooden folding chairs for additional seating.

In this corner of the patio, I have two spring chairs set up in the shade. It's the perfect spot to sit and sip a bevvy, while you're grilling.

This full sun corner, has two more chairs from our patio set and the firepit. Mr. DD loves a good, open fire and this pit has seen a lot of action over the years.

One day, I'd love to have some proper lounge furniture in this area. A pair of chairs, or loungers or even a sectional - ah, dreams. 

When the crabapple tree is in bloom, it provides the most fragrant canopy for our dining table. Truly lovely. 

The hanging lanters, are actually nylon (and solar!) and cast a nice subtle light at night. (find similar here.)

We tried a bunch of new recipes for the party and I can't wait to share them with you...tomorrow. 

Hope you had a great weekend.

linking in with:

Met Monday

Alderberry Hill

Wow us Wednesday

until next time, 

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Patio Bliss

Did you see the post by The Inspired Room, I shared on my Facebook page, discussing the 4 zones of a well planned backyard?

Brilliance in its simplicity. And, it got me thinking about our back patio. 

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Which, of course, led me to Pinterest, where I couldn't help but pin loads of inspirational pics of patios. Tons of ideas for what our little patio will hopefully, one day, grow up to be. 

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I love a covered dining space. Something about dining under a leafy canopy just feels so vacation-y to me. And who wouldn't love their home patio to feel like taking a vacation everyday?

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A lounge area is a must. I'd love a sofa, with throw cushions. Somewhere to put my feet up and get comfy. This vintage furniture grouping looks so inviting, I could definitely stay awhile here.

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I'd also love to incorporate more bright, fun and eclectic style to our outdoor space. Easily enough with garden stools, cushions, rugs and accessories. 

I'll share our patio next week and hopefully you'll be able to see bits and pieces from these inspirational pics throughout our space. 

Have a great weekend.

until next time,

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Silver {Grey} Lining

Remember that storm I blogged about a couple of weeks ago...well, like most of the areas around here we experienced "seepage" in our unfinished basement. Nothing a little wet vac and dehumidifier couldn't handle, but still an inconvenience. So, where does the silver lining come in? Well, I'll tell you. 

After spending a weekend cleaning up the basement and staring at the painted laundry room floor, {which we painted cream shortly after we moved in - what was I thinking?}, we noticed how badly it had aged.  Mostly, from a bad paint job way back when, but also from using this space as a makeshift temporary kitchen during our kitchen remodel. 

So, we finally decided to do something about it. 

Yeah, it's not a life altering change - we just painted the floor after all, but I am telling you, it has made all the difference. $25 for a can of paint and about the same for this cute new rug and I am really digging a space that I use daily. Multiple times a day. 

So, yeah, this is a post about a basement floor and a can of paint - and, I'm ok with that. Because its not only the big changes that help you to love your home.

Go on, get out there and tackle a small change that's been on the list forever. You might just rediscover a love for your home.

until next time, 

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Rear Garden

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mommies out there! Hope you had a great weekend - celebrating, enjoying and relaxing. I certainly did...feeling very lucky, loved and relaxed. Which is a nice change from all the back breaking work of last weekend.

Remember how I told you we worked all day, both days in the yard? Well, we weren't just spreading mulch - we were also finally tackling the rear garden.

Feast your eyes on this new section of the yard. 

Perhaps you remember what it looked like last Summer? A hearty line of hostas and behind it, not much more than a masssive compost pile. We had big plans to elevate the area and build a pergola, but you know what they say about plans...

So we filled in the area with dirt from the edging the other gardens, smoothed it all out and headed to Home Depot from some plants. 

We chose arborvitae, which provide a nice backdrop and foundation to the cuttings garden in front, transplanted some of the hostas to break up the line and filled in the garden with ferns. 

Also during this little garden renovation, our once forgotten playset, which is suddenly back in use, received a new foundation of wood chips. No more muddy bums!

All in all, the back garden is looking a lot nicer and more complete - and we couldn't be happier with the results.

What did you get up to this weekend?

linking in with:

Met Monday

Alderberry Hill

until next time,

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Loving This Week

It's been a crazy couple of weeks around here. So much so that I  haven't shared a, What I am Loving this Week post in quite some time. Fortunately, now seems like the perfect opportunity to share one because of all the little projects (and milestones) we've been tackling as of late. 

Like planting seeds in the garden with my big girl. The weather has been kind of hit and miss lately, so we've only planted lettuces thus far. And, I had to give up part of my highly coveted space for cutting flowers this year - at Miss T's request, of course.

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This week I was also completely, head over heels, inspired by this amazingly creative and eclectic mix of throw pillows in Calling it Home's family room. I mean, I thought I liked to mix it up - but this takes it to a whole new level. It's making me rethink my entire family room scheme...

Last weekend, we spread over 3 yards of mulch in the yard and it was only possible because these two little rascals have finally figured out how to play together. 

Speaking of minor milestones, Baby E had her first "jump" on the trampoline and I just have to include the video, because well, it's pretty cute, if I do say so myself.

And finally, that crazy duo over at Young House Love, who make it all look so easy, posted some rather big news that I found quite inspirational and wanted to share. Click here to read more.

Hope you enjoyed this weeks version of, What I am Loving. Have a great weekend and happy early Mother's Day to all.

until next time, 

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Spring Garden

Today, I thought I'd share snippets from our Spring garden - seeing as we spent the whole of the weekend outside working on it - that's really all I've got!

Together, Mr. DD and I, plus some very helpful help from Miss T spread over 3 yards of mulch in the yard. Getting up close and personal with our yard allowed me to snap some of these pics and really appreciate all the yard has to offer this time of year.

Like this little lenten rose that is a early bloomer and shade lover. 

Remember our little pebble patio from last year? She's all spruced up and ready for action again!

This year, I placed our 3 tier planter on the front patio - it's nice to have a shot of color here by the front door and so far they are loving the early morning light. 

My favorite double-blooming almond tree is about to break into full blooming color. Could quite possibly be my favorite tree in the yard - although the cherry trees come a close second. They're about to bloom and I'll be sure to capture it on film for you.

We've got a lot of interesting ground cover in the back garden and I just love when they bloom. The purple flowers on the creeping myrtle are some of my favorites.

And of course, we can't forget about our pachysandra which smells lovely when it's blooming.

If you have any questions about these flowers, I'll do my best to answer them, just shoot me an email or leave a comment.

until next time, 

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Porch Opening

What a wonderful weekend! Despite the predicted rainy weather, we managed to have two beautiful days that we spent entirely outside. We made lots of progress in the yard and garden and it's starting to look pretty good, if I do say so myself. I can't wait to share it with you.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share the opening of our screened-in porch. Not much has changed out here since last season, but it's such a happy space that it's one of the few rooms I don't want to change all the time. A new, but nice feeling for me.

The furniture and pillows are basically the same. Green and white, which feels so fresh to me, with a couple pops of coral. Most of the other accents in this space are plants.  

I like to bring my house plants out to the screened-in porch this time of year, before it gets too hot. My umbrella tree is really happy in this sunny corner.  

I also moved my never-ending centerpiece outside. The primrose are loving the cooler nights and really thriving. 

I've had this spider fern for almost 4 years and it's still kicking it. Hard to believe. 

I filled the wall planter with succulents, ferns and geraniums. Surprisingly, these are the same succulents I had on the patio last summer. They spent the winter in the living room and I'm trying them on the porch this spring, hopefully they will continue to thrive. 

Even though the nights were chilly, we still managed a little cocktail hour on the porch. One of my favorite spots this time of year. Especially tonight while we enjoyed the view out to the yard and all the fruits of our weekends work.

Hope you had a great weekend too!

linking in with:

Met Monday

until next time,

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Porch Inspiration

We've hit a cold snap, right in the middle of my outdoor space spruce up - how dare mother nature! So now, I'm stuck day dreaming about our screened-in porch and all that it could be, one day. Wanna join me?

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Gotta have a place to really relax, right? A daybed would be lovely, a swinging daybed? Does it get any better?

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How about a hammock? 

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A fireplace would be ideal for chilly spring and fall evenings. 

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I really love the lighting in this space. 

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And don't even get me started on this vintage bamboo furniture set. Amazing.

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Any way you slice it, screened-in porches can be a real slice of heaven. And I can't wait to get ours set up and back in action to take advantage of Spring, whenever it decides to show up around here. Thanks for joining me.

Don't forget to check out my Pinterest board for more great inspiration.

until next time, 

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