Wednesday, November 25, 2009

My Favorite Things


I'm sure you've all heard that Oprah is not doing a "Favorite Things" episode this year. To fill the void, I'm splashing out with my own spin on "Favorite Things".

I love this necklace. It's sparkly, lovely and handmade.


These condos are my favorite addition to the overcrowded condo market in Austin. They've been designed in an eco-friendly manner, are in a great neighborhood, and each unit has a private balcony and rooftop terrace! I'm thankful for my 1952 house, but a girl can dream.

This scarf adds a little flash to outfits. It's from Martin & Osa. I find that Martin & Osa is my favorite chain store lately.


My favorite local store in Austin, Adelante, happens to be located mere blocks from our house.


Book People earned the title of the largest, independent book store, and features great staff selections for books. While Book People is my favorite book store, Half Price Books is a very close second.



I'm not much of a foodie. A good self-serve salad bar makes me happy. The Whole Foods at 5th Street and Lamar Boulevard has an amazing salad bar with lots of vegetarian selections.


I love me some scented candles. Lights Out Candles are produced locally with soy wax and lead-free wicks. The nag champa scent is so delicious and earthy smelling.


My favorite self-indulgence is a visit to Milk and Honey Spa. I've been to both locations and find the atmosphere and services heavenly.


Readers, I hope this helps with your withdrawal process during the Oprah no "Favorite Things" kerfuffle. Don't bother looking under your seats for any of these items, but you might want to vacuum under there.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Workin' On It


A very nice handyman repaired and reinforced the door jamb and door frame just a few days after the door-kick-in-house-robbery back in early October. However, we're still working on cosmetic repairs. I painted the exterior of the front door frame and door yesterday and today. Chad continues to toil at the task of repairing the drywall and texture around the inside of the front door frame. Then I'll paint that area.

One good thing about prepping the front door to be painted was that I cleaned off a year's worth of dirt, dead bugs and spiderwebs from the entryway. Ewww. It looks much better now.

I've ordered the security storm doors and a new, much sturdier door for the carport entry. All should be installed by mid-December.

After gathering and submitting much paperwork, we got our check from the insurance company (minus the $1000 deductible and depreciated value of our stuff versus the actual replacement cost). We opted not to replace some of the stuff that was stolen. Between beefing up security at the 1952 house and replacing some of our items, it's been an expensive venture.

I still hesitate to leave the house. I have a somewhat irrational fear that if an opportunistic robber sees my car gone or sees me leave with Janie-dog on foot, our house will be robbed again. I'm working on shedding that fear.