I LOVE and ADORE the style of Pottery Barn. It's fresh, sophisticated yet simple, and most importantly, it's inviting. Whenever I look through one of those catalogs, I feel like the rooms on each page are whispering for me to "come on in and stay a while." Of course the masterminds behind the staging of those photo shoots know EXACTLY what they are doing and probably even went to school for a degree to do exactly that...create the desire in me to have my house look "that way." However, after locating the corresponding letter that matches that lovely ottoman, sofa, or whatever the piece may be, then glancing my eyes on over towards the column of prices...my mouth generally hits the floor and a thought similar to this runs through my head:
"$999??? That's RIDICULOUS! Oh! And look! That's the SALE price...it's originally $1299!"
I consider myself a bargain shopper, and nothing about that price screams out bargain to me! In fact, sometimes it makes my stomach hurt a little bit to think that someone would actually pay that price. Maybe it's because I can't afford such luxuries on a whim, but I really think it's more of me knowing that if a piece of furniture in my house cost that much it would be carefully protected by a glass case so people could enjoy it from afar! So my latest aspiration is to create in my house something similar to what I fall in love with on those magazine pages...the style of Pottery Barn, but on a budget more along the lines of Target.
For example: I recently decided to change out the bar stools in our kitchen.The old stools were left "for free" by the previous owner of the house when we bought it a little over a year ago. And don't get me wrong...those stools came in handy on more than one occasion. But because of the way the kitchen is shaped, and where our table sits, I realized that those stools were creating a small obstacle course to go between the kitchen and living room. They were a wee bit on the "tall" side and were just a little too bulky and cumbersome. Plus...they don't really fit the "feel" of our house. They were metal framed with round, cushioned swivel seats, and high metal backs. Sound comfortable, right?
So...I began looking for new bar stools. I wanted something simple and less bulky, yet still comfortable and user friendly. Of course, I initially went to the Pottery Barn website. And BAM! There they were, in all their glory, for the small price of... $100...each. BUMMER. I really, REALLY liked them. Now that I had a general idea of what I was looking for, I thought to myself "let the bargain shopping begin!" I started to look at other websites...Macys, JCPenny, Target, Overstock.com, WalMart, etc. A few of the sites didn't have anything even remotely close to what I wanted, but then at JCPenny I stumbled upon what I like to think of as quite a steal. I was able to get the ALMOST identical stools for the much more reasonable price...2 for $79. That's less than HALF of what it would have cost for them at Pottery Barn. I was super nervous that they would arrive and maybe not be great quality or I wouldn't like them as much in person as I did online (my #1 fear). So after a few days of thinking, measuring, checking and double checking the return policy, I ordered them, and patiently waited the two weeks for them to be delivered.
Two bar stools now sit neatly under the bar in my kitchen. You no longer have to plan an attack route to get around them. They are modern but timeless. They're even a little distressed on top already so now I won't freak out when the first "mark" is made on them. And I love them. I am so happy with this purchase. I get giddy thinking about the money I saved to opt out of the name brand and go with the look-alike. Because with that extra money I can now buy something else to mimic the Pottery Barn look...all while keeping it within a reasonable budget!
Copy and paste the following link to check them out! (I even got them cheaper than they are currently listed for!)
http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=57087&CatID=67246&GrpTyp=STY&ItemID=16e2e8b&attrtype=&attrvalue=&CMID=57087|67121&Fltr=&Srt=&QL=F&IND=3&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=57087|67121|67246
Here's to shopping, finding great deals, and decorating!!!
p.s. Anyone who knows how to put a link in a blog without having the entire address like I do...feel free to share! I'm still learning!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
YUM!
We made these pork chops for dinner and they were FABULOUS...but more importantly, they were EASY and FAST!!
I got this recipe off Kraft.com which is a great place to look for new dinner ideas. Nolan and I felt like we were "stuck in a rut" with dinner and wanted to try some new things out to break up the monotony. If you become a member of the website and sign in, you can add recipes to your "shopping list," and the site will automatically make a list of what you need from the grocery store...sweet!
What you need:
4 boneless pork chops (about 1/2 inch thick)
3/4 cup of honey and brown sugar bbq sauce (they recommend this certain name brand, but I just bought the honey bbq sauce and added some brown sugar)
1 - 8 oz can of crushed pineapple
1/2 tsp. of ground cinammon
1/2 tsp. of dry mustard
Mix everything together (except the meat) and set half of the "sauce" aside for later. Grill the pork chops for about 5 minutes on each side over medium heat (or until no longer pink in the center), brushing each side with some of the sauce. Use the sauce that was set aside in the beginning and pour over the pork chops before serving. DELICIOUS!
We also chose to grill pineapple slices (from the can) on the grill to eat on the side...YUMMY!!! We paired this dinner up with some asparagus and left the table feeling satisfied but not overstuffed. It really only took about 15 minutes total...from taking the meat out of the package to putting the first bite in my mouth!
ENJOY!!
I got this recipe off Kraft.com which is a great place to look for new dinner ideas. Nolan and I felt like we were "stuck in a rut" with dinner and wanted to try some new things out to break up the monotony. If you become a member of the website and sign in, you can add recipes to your "shopping list," and the site will automatically make a list of what you need from the grocery store...sweet!
What you need:
4 boneless pork chops (about 1/2 inch thick)
3/4 cup of honey and brown sugar bbq sauce (they recommend this certain name brand, but I just bought the honey bbq sauce and added some brown sugar)
1 - 8 oz can of crushed pineapple
1/2 tsp. of ground cinammon
1/2 tsp. of dry mustard
Mix everything together (except the meat) and set half of the "sauce" aside for later. Grill the pork chops for about 5 minutes on each side over medium heat (or until no longer pink in the center), brushing each side with some of the sauce. Use the sauce that was set aside in the beginning and pour over the pork chops before serving. DELICIOUS!
We also chose to grill pineapple slices (from the can) on the grill to eat on the side...YUMMY!!! We paired this dinner up with some asparagus and left the table feeling satisfied but not overstuffed. It really only took about 15 minutes total...from taking the meat out of the package to putting the first bite in my mouth!
ENJOY!!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
L-O-V-E
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!
Although we've been together a few months short of EIGHT years, today marks the first Valentine's Day that Nolan and I have spent as a married couple. And I've realized that you know you are married on Valentine's Day when your agenda for the day looks like this:
1) Buying a newspaper to clip coupons
2) Get groceries - which means going to Sam's Club AND Ingles to get the best deals
3) Clean house
4) Laundry...6 loads of it...into the washer...into the dryer...into the washer...into the dryer...repeat, repeat, repeat!
5) Change the sheets
6) Work in the yard (Nolan)
We're sooooo romantic!! (I guess I should give him credit that he did buy me roses and some delicious cupcakes the other day!)
Needless to say, no matter what we are doing, as long as we're together, it's guaranteed to be a good time. I know that's totally cliche, but it really is true. When you marry your best friend, better half and true soul mate, every day is like Valentine's Day, just without the "title" and hyped-up commercialism. Awwwww....
So whatever you and yours truly have chosen to do to celebrate this day of LOVE I hope it is great!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
rain, rain, go away...
Hello fellow bloggers! What is with the incessantly terrible weather??? I'm tired of rain (although I bought some really cute rain boots at Target the other day...), cold temperatures, and "wintery mixes." I seriously think that I have a mild case of self-diagnosed S.A.D (seasonal affective disorder). All I want to do is stay under my warm heated blanket all day long because I have negative amounts of motivation! Oh Spring, how I long for you - I am in desperate need of some Vitamin D!
So it looks like again, I must apologize for the lack of blogging here lately. And you know what's sad is that I don't even have a legit reason as to why I haven't posted anything except for the mere and simple fact that life has FINALLY slowed down for us (nearly 3 months after marriage...3 MONTHS?? REALLY?? ALREADY??) and I don't feel as though there has really been anything that people would want to read about! However after talking with a great friend last night she asked for a "life update"...so here we go...
In recent fun news, I went with my sweet friend/ex-roomie Emily to the Eric Church/Jason Aldean concert a few weeks ago. I hate saying "ex" because of the negative connotations that it brings to mind, and to be honest we never really shared a room, but I guess that's what it is since we don't live together anymore! ANYWYAYS...I love concerts and I love country music - no matter how many times I try to stray from it! She works for an advertising agency that has box seats in our local concert venue, so as long as the clients don't want tickets (and thankfully they never do!) and she puts dibs on them early, we get to go to lots of fun concerts...FREE! Who can pass that up, I mean, really? This concert brought out the BEST in SC/NC (please insert sarcastic voice here) and I don't think I've ever been among so many true-to-the-core rednecks in.my.life. It definitely made for a very interesting evening! Alcohol sure can make people act funny! :) Next up...Brad Paisley the first week of March - YES! I really do LOVE him!
Other fun news is that Nolan and I went to see WICKED last Friday night! This was part of my Christmas present from him this year...and I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! The show was INCREDIBLE! I was somewhat nervous about our seats being two rows from the top in the balcony, but someone quickly reminded me that "as long as you can see that one character is green, you'll be ok.." So true. :) I love musicals, whether it be a play or a movie, and am glad that we are able to enjoy such events. If you ever have the opportunity to see this...GO! I promise you will LOVE IT too!!
My most recent and "emotional" news (that I alluded to in an earlier post) is that I have accepted a new job! :) For those of you who talk to me regularly, you have heard my complaints, frustrations and disappointments of my current job and though I won't dare blog about them...it was simply time. I know some of you are probably thinking "But Ashley, you've only been at your current job ~8 months" and yes, this is a true statement. But there are simply times in life when an opportunity presents itself that you just can't sit and let it pass you by, as it may never come back around. And in my case, I would forever be wondering "what if?" So after some soul-searching, praying and lots of talk with those much wiser than myself, I have found what I think is an open door of endless opportunity. The potential for both professional and personal growth is practically limitless, and I'm very much looking forward to everything that is in front of me. I'll still be doing pediatric physical therapy (because I can't really see myself doing anything else) and am looking forward to learning and growing and continuously being challenged. In all of these regards, I am very EXCITED! (I'm purposely not posting many details in the blog about the new job, but will be happy to discuss them with any curious mind in a less public atmosphere!)
I say this is emotional news because I really think I've experienced EVERY emotion possible over the past month, and I thank Jesus for giving my sweet husband the patience to listen to me talk about this matter and think of every possible scenario to no end!
As everyone knows, change is SCARY! I had a few nights of restless sleep thinking about turning in my resignation letter and was SO relieved to get that part over with on Monday! Everyone seems to be handling things well at work and aren't treating me any differently, which was a fear I harbored. Also, I'm finally "comfortable" in my job. I go to work every day, and there are never really any surprises. I generally know what to expect from my patients (though sometimes they change it up on me) and I know how to write up evaluations, progress notes and daily summaries to the company standards. I know my co-workers and how we function together. All of these things will change with the new job, and I'll be meeting new people and forming new relationships, stepping out of my comfort zone and learning an entirely new routine. As Nolan always tells me when I'm about to be around people I don't know is..."It's time to put on your extrovert hat!" (Random fact: during premarital counseling I answered 10 personality questions as 9 introvert and 1 extrovert)
Change in this case, is also somewhat SAD. Although I've only been with these kids and their families for a short time, it's hard to leave them because they have already made a lasting impact on my heart. There is a bond that is formed between a therapist and their patients, and you really do become an integral part of their family life. I think I dread telling the parents that I'm leaving more than I dreaded turning in my notice...*sigh* There will be new families and new kids at my new job, and I'm sure that I will fall in love with each of them as well, but never replacing or forgetting the others.
So that's the latest! As spring draws near, there will (hopefully) be more to post on such as house renovations and projects galore. My ambition and goal for the week is to post more frequently so that those of you who are diligent and loyal blog readers will not be disappointed - again!!! HUGS!!!
So it looks like again, I must apologize for the lack of blogging here lately. And you know what's sad is that I don't even have a legit reason as to why I haven't posted anything except for the mere and simple fact that life has FINALLY slowed down for us (nearly 3 months after marriage...3 MONTHS?? REALLY?? ALREADY??) and I don't feel as though there has really been anything that people would want to read about! However after talking with a great friend last night she asked for a "life update"...so here we go...
In recent fun news, I went with my sweet friend/ex-roomie Emily to the Eric Church/Jason Aldean concert a few weeks ago. I hate saying "ex" because of the negative connotations that it brings to mind, and to be honest we never really shared a room, but I guess that's what it is since we don't live together anymore! ANYWYAYS...I love concerts and I love country music - no matter how many times I try to stray from it! She works for an advertising agency that has box seats in our local concert venue, so as long as the clients don't want tickets (and thankfully they never do!) and she puts dibs on them early, we get to go to lots of fun concerts...FREE! Who can pass that up, I mean, really? This concert brought out the BEST in SC/NC (please insert sarcastic voice here) and I don't think I've ever been among so many true-to-the-core rednecks in.my.life. It definitely made for a very interesting evening! Alcohol sure can make people act funny! :) Next up...Brad Paisley the first week of March - YES! I really do LOVE him!
Other fun news is that Nolan and I went to see WICKED last Friday night! This was part of my Christmas present from him this year...and I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! The show was INCREDIBLE! I was somewhat nervous about our seats being two rows from the top in the balcony, but someone quickly reminded me that "as long as you can see that one character is green, you'll be ok.." So true. :) I love musicals, whether it be a play or a movie, and am glad that we are able to enjoy such events. If you ever have the opportunity to see this...GO! I promise you will LOVE IT too!!
My most recent and "emotional" news (that I alluded to in an earlier post) is that I have accepted a new job! :) For those of you who talk to me regularly, you have heard my complaints, frustrations and disappointments of my current job and though I won't dare blog about them...it was simply time. I know some of you are probably thinking "But Ashley, you've only been at your current job ~8 months" and yes, this is a true statement. But there are simply times in life when an opportunity presents itself that you just can't sit and let it pass you by, as it may never come back around. And in my case, I would forever be wondering "what if?" So after some soul-searching, praying and lots of talk with those much wiser than myself, I have found what I think is an open door of endless opportunity. The potential for both professional and personal growth is practically limitless, and I'm very much looking forward to everything that is in front of me. I'll still be doing pediatric physical therapy (because I can't really see myself doing anything else) and am looking forward to learning and growing and continuously being challenged. In all of these regards, I am very EXCITED! (I'm purposely not posting many details in the blog about the new job, but will be happy to discuss them with any curious mind in a less public atmosphere!)
I say this is emotional news because I really think I've experienced EVERY emotion possible over the past month, and I thank Jesus for giving my sweet husband the patience to listen to me talk about this matter and think of every possible scenario to no end!
As everyone knows, change is SCARY! I had a few nights of restless sleep thinking about turning in my resignation letter and was SO relieved to get that part over with on Monday! Everyone seems to be handling things well at work and aren't treating me any differently, which was a fear I harbored. Also, I'm finally "comfortable" in my job. I go to work every day, and there are never really any surprises. I generally know what to expect from my patients (though sometimes they change it up on me) and I know how to write up evaluations, progress notes and daily summaries to the company standards. I know my co-workers and how we function together. All of these things will change with the new job, and I'll be meeting new people and forming new relationships, stepping out of my comfort zone and learning an entirely new routine. As Nolan always tells me when I'm about to be around people I don't know is..."It's time to put on your extrovert hat!" (Random fact: during premarital counseling I answered 10 personality questions as 9 introvert and 1 extrovert)
Change in this case, is also somewhat SAD. Although I've only been with these kids and their families for a short time, it's hard to leave them because they have already made a lasting impact on my heart. There is a bond that is formed between a therapist and their patients, and you really do become an integral part of their family life. I think I dread telling the parents that I'm leaving more than I dreaded turning in my notice...*sigh* There will be new families and new kids at my new job, and I'm sure that I will fall in love with each of them as well, but never replacing or forgetting the others.
So that's the latest! As spring draws near, there will (hopefully) be more to post on such as house renovations and projects galore. My ambition and goal for the week is to post more frequently so that those of you who are diligent and loyal blog readers will not be disappointed - again!!! HUGS!!!
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