I've moved!

Hi everyone, I have moved to my own site! Stop by to check it out, and don't forget to say Hi while you're there. Sorry to those of you who have me on your blogrolls, but I've had it with Blogger. We're breaking up, so to speak.

My new address is www.monicacrowe.com

"See you" there!

I made it in! I'm going back to school this fall, and am actually very excited about this because lately, I've been feeling at a loss of things to do. I can't wait to get fresh notebooks, pens, and to go shopping for "school clothes". It's like being a kid all over again.

This prim and perfect closet inspired me to redo my own. It's looking very good, though I'm not quite finished yet. Yesterday, my extreme organizing session caused me to purge heaps of clothes that weren't ever going to be worn again, along with other accessories like belts and such. One garage sale coming up!

Full Circle

I know it's been a while since I last wrote, but as you may have noticed, I have been making some very life altering decisions lately. What I've decided is that I'm going back to school to finish my art degree in Graphic Design. Since I already have a laundry list of previous credits, this will only take me two years to complete.

Trey and I still intend to continue learning about real estate to prepare ourselves for the right time for us to purchase. A few setbacks that gave me such a stressful time last week have thrown a wrench in our plans, but we're mostly undeterred.

Graphic Design Lab

These photos that I've posted are photos of the La. Tech University School of Art where I studied my first year in college. I've come full circle back to the place where I started. It's kind of funny because back then, I couldn't wait to move on to better places. Compared to all of the places I've been, and there have been many, this public university has the best art program in the south central and the most beautiful, clean campus.

Now, I can't wait to get back. The only thing is that I won't know if I've been accepted to the school until Thursday. I'm kind of nervous because the timing is right down to the wire. Classes begin soon, and deadlines for this and that are looming. Eeek! I'm biting my nails down to nothing!

Redecorating and the Baby

My honey on the couch reading the new Harry Potter book. Can't wait to get my hands on that book!

As you may know, Trey and I put in an offer on a duplex in our area. Well, the sellers counter offered, but based on the numbers and other factors, we decided to pass. At the end of our tense week, Trey and I felt like we needed a change around here. So, what did we do? We decorated together!

I know! You are probably just as shocked as I am. Last weekend, when I changed the upper cabinet vignette, he huffed and hawed when I asked him for help. This weekend, he actually took the initiative to move the seating arrangement in the living room. It was his idea. Though, I guess moving furniture is more manly than arranging trinkets. We later added this rug to the area to anchor it in the large, open concept living room.

Next, we finally got around to unpacking a set of dishes that we got as a wedding gift two years ago. This required us to wash, and pack away all of the white, bistro style dishes we've been using, another wedding gift. The "new" set is such a nice change. The colors are caramel and chocolate, perfect for a warm, cozy look. It seems that I'm already anxiously wishing for fall, my favorite time of year.

Finally, you see this cute little Lulu baby? Well, I love her to death, but she is just a little piggy! This morning, she danced, and jumped, and spinned around excitedly in expectation of her morning meal. I set her food and a large bowl of water down. Happily, she inhaled the whole bowl of water, and then began to gobble her food. Twenty minutes later, when I got up from the couch to answer the phone, I discovered that she'd left me some nice and quite unexpected presents. I found not one, not two, but four puddles of Lulu vomit on the floor. She even left me a little spot on the rug! Ack! Disgusting. What will I ever do with you Lulu?

Investor To Be: That's Me!

Big news here! Trey and I have found the first property that we hope to be investing in. It's a duplex with lots of charm, and character in the Garden District. Tonight, we took the plunge, met with our Realtor, and put an offer in to the seller. It's too soon to tell where the tide will turn, but we should know if our offer is accepted by this coming Monday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, am holding my breath, and am smooshing my face up in a wincing/smiling manner. Can you see it? Good thing I didn't post a photo of me doing this. Scary. I'll keep you posted as things develop. So excited and nervous!

And by the way, isn't this photo that has nothing to do with my topic really dreamy? I love how clean, fresh, and organized it appears to be. If only every corner of my home looked this way right now.

Revolving Display Decor

You can probably tell that I've been in a bit of a decorating mood lately. Well, yesterday I was struck with the desire to change my revolving upper cabinet display. I do this from time to time because it's the first thing you see when you walk into the house, and I think it is nice to be greeted by an attractive vignette.
Possibly, I got this obsession of mine from Feng Shui, in which you are supposed to have a nice piece of art work in your line of site upon entrance to a room. Now, I may as well start hanging crystals from the doorways to promote good chi!

In all seriousness though, the house does seem to feel much better now than before when, in my opinion, the cabinet display was a bit untidy.
Here is a fuzzy photo (I really need a tripod) of the front door corner of the house, which is a mostly unused entrance. I've been trying to figure out what to do with this nook for a while now. Eventually, I may turn it into a bar ware and liquor storage area. Don't get me wrong, I really don't drink enough for this to be a necessary addition. I just think it would be nice for entertaining purposes.

If you are wondering, I painted the art work in this photo, and drew the framed piece atop the cabinets in the previous pictures. The huge Starbucks mug is not meant for consumption, and I do play the djimbe drum once in a while. No, it's not a bongo, but I'm not entirely sure that I spelled "djimbe" correctly either.

Less Vs. More

Years ago, when my husband and I were newly weds, we lived in a 700 square foot apartment. It was cramped, but high on style, high on cozy, and we were so very happy there. We talked a lot about the kind of life that we could build together, as we still do.

At the time, one of our big ideas was that less was more. We talked about how most people buy more house than they need and end up paying a massive mortgage when they could otherwise be using their money for more profitable endeavors. One day, we vowed, we'd build and live in a micro home.

Now, I know you are probably thinking that we had some pretty crazy notions, and that our new love for one another was seriously getting to our heads. Well, we still think it's a valid idea, and maybe one day we'll down size. These photos were all taken from the HGTV website. All of these homes are 900 square feet or less. It just goes to show that you can do a whole lot with just a little space.

In a lot of cases, I think that small homes are cozier, more friendly, and inviting. Since there is a shortage on square footage, it forces one to pair down possessions and to really think about what one's money is spent on. I mean, do you really need one more comforter set when you already have 2 and only one bed?

7 Random Facts

New Orleans artist unknown

I've been tagged! I feel like I should now be running around the edge of the front yard chasing and pummeling the random walkers who come by every day whilst I shriek, "Tag, you're it!".

The Rules:
Start with 7 random facts/habits about yourself. People who are tagged need to then report this on their own blog with their 7 things as well as these rules. They then need to tag 7 others and list their names on their blog. They are also asked to leave a comment for each of the tagged, letting them know they have been tagged and to read the blog.
Randomness:
1. I don't own one pair of solid white socks. Not one. They are all funky colors and patterns, and I wear them way up to my knees.

2. I like to take long drives by myself so I can sing my favorite songs at the top of my lungs, all the while pretending that I'm really a rock star.

3. I used to be obsessed with the idea of circus side show "freaks" like the contortionists and the fire breathers.

4. Some of the careers that I've considered have been..(are you ready for this?) actor, musician, writer, artist, fashion magazine editor, fashion stylist, fashion designer, interior designer, psychiatrist, college professor, linguist...and I'm sure there's more. Whew!

5. For 7 years I wanted a male Boston Terrier, whom I'd name Mr. McDoogal, so I could dress him in plaid, argyle, and little spiked collars. Finally, I got my Boston Terrier Lulu (female). The farting, burping, bug eyed, smelly baby girl that you see at the top right of this blog. Awww! Right?

6. Currently, I'm obsessed with the idea of getting my nose pierced with just a little dainty stud. I have no way of justifying this to anyone who would be shocked and dismayed by this except for, "What?, Indian women do it to ease the pain of childbirth. I might get pregnant one day. Shrugs".

7. I am presently the recipient of 15 free magazines that I got through my father in law's unused Delta Sky Miles. Yes, I said 15. A bit extreme, you say? Never.

Complete Geek
Check him out! This blog is so funny, and it's not just because he's my hubby.
I'll let the rest of my friends off the hook this time, but next time it's "Tag, you're it!"

Bath Junkie!!!

Recently, I got the chance to duck into one of my favorite bath stores, Bath Junkie. Their customizable products range from bath salts to shampoo, from makeup to doggy wash, home cleansers and much more. What a treat for my cousin Kayla and I to get the complementary warm water, hand scrub, and moisturizing treatment. Afterwards, our hands felt baby soft.

Of course, I knew I'd end up buying something because I've realized by now that unless I really want to spend my money, I should not even set one little toe into that place.

Ultimately, I ended up buying a house wives dream product. It's a multitasking, antibacterial, non-toxic cleanser. You customize the scent to your liking, and it drowns out the usual harsh chemical smell that most products have.

There are over 200 fragrances to choose from that can be mixed and matched. They have "menus" with plenty of great scent combo suggestions. I chose Pink Sugar, Spring Fling., and it is yummy. Who knew that I could ever be so excited to go home and clean? I'm telling you, it's a dream product! My house smelled of sweetness for nearly 2 days.

Posts Galore!

Isn't this color palate just so girly and fun? I'd have at least one room like this in the house if it wasn't for the man of the house. He'd put a fast veto down on this one. Cool headboard treatment too, right?

These Gerbra Daisies are the same colors and flowers we had at our wedding though, so at least he gave me that much. lol!

Anyways, I have two new posts (Yes, two!) over at YD Blog today. So go check them out for more eye candy!

This one concerns my studio decorating plans, and

This one is my Studio Friday post.