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Table Wars!
2007-12-05 20:04:00
I love the form of this table but given that its got mdf and is sold at Walmart...well you just know it's a hunk of...what's the word I'm searching for? Yeah, umm, schidt. Still, I thought the fact that it was almost $100 more at Overstock.com was interesting. Overstock will price match so long the shipping cost is included in the "price" from the other store. Kinda sleazy to tack on another vendors shipping quote to the "price" of the item for comparison. That's my opinion anyway - and I assure you I am full of opinions. I shall continue my search for the perfect little round table...thus far Craigslist and Ebay have not birthed my treasure.copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com
More About: Wars , Table

When Blogs Collide...
2007-12-05 15:45:00
Frankly, I blame the chick over at "The House And I" for this mornings' shopping extraveganza. I was laughing myself sick this morning at her parade of broken Christmas decorations and forwarded her blog post on to a bunch of friends. The Fiance was amongst the people that I sent the post to (in addition to lover & baker he qualifies as "friend" too). He immediately called me. "This is the year." he stated, quite adamently. I couldn't discourage him...and now, the order has been placed. This year's holiday gift for his parents: The Leg Lamp. This lamp will be trampin' up the home of a house that makes the digs in Architectural Digest look shabby. Oh my. We're in such trouble now.In other news...I declare eyeliner...BACK! Thank you Amy Adams and Enchanted. I slapped some on my upper lids this morning and 2 co-workers remarked that I was "all done up today". Yee-Pharkin-Hah! Bring on the eyeliner and long eyelashes. I loved Enchanted. I want to see it AGAIN.copyright 2007 iloveup...
More About: Blogs

What You Talkin' About, Amazon?
2007-12-04 20:47:00
Amazon and Tivo are strange animals. They "think" they know you soooo well. Patton Oswalt has a great routine about trying to train his Tivo. Patton's Tivo keeps running amuck like a child in the throes of the terrible twos. His Tivo kept taping & recommending spanish soap operas for him. Amazon.com's recommendations usually confuse me too. Till today. This made total sense to me. copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com
More About: Amazon

The Fiance Has Gone Bananas!
2007-12-04 03:58:00
The Fiance's banana pudding is WORLD famous. Well, around our world anyway. I actually had a lawyer offer me FREE legal advice for a vat of this banana pudding in return, it's that good. What's his secret? He won't tell anyone...not even me. I asked again tonight and was given a dirty look and told "if I tell you, then you'll blog it and I won't have a special dish anymore". Sorry people, I tried. He even has a special banana slicing tool. I'm bringing this to the office on Wednesday for the annual potluck. Yep, this special banana pudding requires 48 hours to set.OMG. I want some NOW.copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com

Havin' A Mary Tyler Moore Moment...
2007-12-03 16:06:00
ApartmentTherapy.com relaunched today - and the new layout looks great. It's cleaner and more stream-lined but with loads more content - if that makes sense. And...they linked to me in their links section. I need a moment, thanks. Sniff. Sniff. :::hat in the air:::Fingers crossed...the new windows will be delivered this week and then I'll post more pics of the kitchen and an overview of the budget (or lack thereof...). I've also decided that the yellow chairs that I nabbed ($10 each) this weekend at Build It Green and the yellow faux bamboo chandelier that I got on Craigslist ($50) will go in the kitchen. Need to find a pendant light for over the sink, I'm thinking maybe just a white glass ball to compliment/continue the balls that are on the chandelier. Thoughts? Shots of rum? This means I'll have to rethink the curtains. The yellow chairs are still a mystery. VP Made In Italy? Huh? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?In other news...Jimmy is rockin' the frontpage of houseblogs.net.copy...
More About: Mary , Tyler , Moment , Moore

Decluttering...Over N Over N Over...
2007-12-02 19:17:00
My understanding is that the only people who own this G.I. Joe doll are Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, the CEO of Hasbro...and me. I was decluttering some stuff and happened upon Joe, err, Tom. I think maybe it might be time to sell him. Maybe Joe can kindly help pay for some of my home renovations? Hmmm. Will have to do some homework before he waddles over to Ebay...copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com
More About: Erin , Clutter

We've Had A TON of Adventures In The Past 24 Hours...
2007-12-01 22:51:00
But for now, I need help identifying these yellow chairs. Any modern furniture freaks out there? They look like "Series 7" chairs but Series 7 are made in Denmark and these chairs say "VP Made in Italy" on their bottoms. Anyone? Anyone? Looky what else I nabbed today...Tom Vac chair. copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com
More About: Past , Adventures , Hours , Ventures

Three Blind Mice. See How They Run.
2007-11-30 03:20:00
If you see this type of sheet music somewhere...drop me a line!I finally figgered out how to put my picture in my blogger profile. I am such a tard.copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com
More About: Mice , Blind

Dorothy Draper & David Hicks-ish Stuff on Overstock.com
2007-11-29 16:39:00
I hadn’t been on overstock.com in a few weeks and was happily surprised this morning to see lots of new items…and pretty honkin’ stylish offerings too! Check out that Dorothy Draper-like cocktail table!! It’s got an asian bent with the reed-ish top but otherwise, Draper-city. I started looking at benches & settees instead of the corner seating for the breakfast nook, but not really feeling it. Did I mention that I was considering moving the washer/dryer totally OUT of that area (it’s so nice now, shame to junk it up with big metal white machines, yanno?). Not sure where to put the machines, maybe I can move a wall near the boiler and get them out in the mudroom/boiler area. Who knows. Just a thought. Moving along…these settees are cute, but to formal for me. That said, my Mom’s cat “Andy” may enjoy them, he’s a big theatre-goer and enjoys formalwear and showtunes. We do love that gay cat to no end!! Seriously, Mom’s cat is gayer than Liberace. Oh wait, Liberace...
More About: Stuff , David , Overstock

The Chairs! The Chairs! The Chairs!
2007-11-29 02:17:00
They have arrived...Disregard the mess...had to shove a bunch of stuff left & right to accommodate the delivery guys. I am so happy with this fabric!Funny thing...we didn't realize that the chairs were different sizes - there's a Mama and Papa. Who knew?!?! So glad I sprung to have slips made for the armrests too. Gonna have to scotch-guard them before the cat gets a chance to hurl...copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com
More About: Chairs

Searching for Corner Seating...
2007-11-28 22:36:00
I'd like to put a corner seating area in the laundry room/breakfast nook. Since there is baseboard heat in that room we can't put it flush up against the wall and the air needs room to circulate. So this might be a pipe dream. Speaking of which...I was recently told that my curtains should not be touching my baseboard. UMMM. WTF? I don't want stunted curtains, I want them to reach the floor and graciously drape like a debutante. Anyone? Anyone?copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com
More About: Corner , Searching , Seating

My Holiday List...I've Been Good (In Case You Were Wonderin')
2007-11-28 20:01:00
I threw a (small) loaf of bread at a co-worker today. What did she do to warrant this attack? Complained that she's a size 6. I'm a good shot too, I got her right on the nose, square in the face. How's your day going?Since the Volvo wagon didn't show up for my birthday...I thought I'd make a handy-dandy list of things I do NOT need and thinks I DO need. I'm thoughtful like that. You're welcome. copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com
More About: Holiday , List , Case , Good , Were

Power Tools For Women 101 And More On Texas...
2007-11-28 15:30:00
I think I've mentioned before that the Fiance can't keep a secret to save his life (that's a good thing!). A few months ago he spilled the beans that he had bought me a weekend class at Yestermorrow for Christmas. I'm taking the Power Tools for Women 2-day class in late March. The class is $300 and if you'd like to check it out and go too, here's a link: Yestermorrow. Also, here's a link to a recent Cottage Living article about Yestermorrow. LINK. They offer housing & meals too. Speaking of classes...I flaked out on the Gocco class. It was either attend the class or see Matt-The-Contractor's progress. There only being so many hours in the day, I went for the project that costs me more money. Hopefully I'll get to a Gocco class one day soon. Oh well. Still have the sewing class (to master the bobbin-from-hell issue) in a few weeks to look forward to. One thing I don't need a lesson on is...shopping! Whilst in Texas aka the Home of Neiman Marcus (needless markup) it was brou...
More About: For Women

Curtains Ahoy N Stuff...
2007-11-27 21:17:00
Matt-The-Contractor is emailing a revised budget to me tonight since parts of the job have changed (some got bigger - some got smaller). Here's hoping he doesn't break my heart. He's also sending me the dimensions for the windows that were ordered - cause - like - I forgot the sizes. They're Marvin Integrity windows and they'll be here next week...that's about all I got. I need to pick out some window treatments. I considered spending some real cash and having Calico Corners do them but then remembered that the curtains will be in the vicinity of the washer/dryer and they don't call Upstate Mom "The Bleach Lady" for nothing. These curtains (below) are on clearance at JcPenney (oh how I hate JcPenney...) and are yet...stylish...yet cheap (read: I won't flip out when I see bleach dots on them). I think I can get away with 4 panels even though it's three windows. Thinking I'll go with the mahogany-ish wooden rod too. Play off the whole 'brick' thing...yanno what I mean? Unf...
More About: Stuff

Discovering New Foods Below The Mason-Dixon Line...
2007-11-27 15:41:00
Now that I am safely back on Yankee soil...I can make fun of southern food. I'm kidding! The food was amazing and I easily packed on 5 pounds (oops) over the past 5 days. That said, I saw some items in the local grocery store that made me chuckle...Last but not least...decorating fun with ice cream containers:copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com
More About: Dixon , Foods , Line , Mason , Belo

My Contest...Winner Announced!
2007-11-23 04:52:00
Tried to post this last night but Blogger was being argumentative..._________________________ _________________________________The Fiance is passed out. I had nothing better to do and am sitting in a hotel room so I went to the front desk and borrowed some scissors and started making the list of names of everyone that entered my digital camera/Domino Magazine contest. The winner is....Catty Ax Lady and for good measure, here's a link to her blog...Congrats! Thanks to all who entered!copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com
More About: Contest , Winner , Anno

That's Texas, Ya'll
2007-11-22 14:25:00
I know it's a total cliche...but the sky really is friggen big in Texas . In other news...the yellow bamboo chandelier I bought off of Craigslist arrived just as I was heading to the airport. Here it is all nestled and waiting for it's next life...More pics later...our hosts are frying a turkey...will take pics of the subsequent fire, err, I mean turkey. Happy Thanksgiving!copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com

How Much Do We Love Matt The Contractor!?!?
2007-11-21 05:26:00
Matt did a perfect match on the wainscotting that was missing in the dining room. Here's some new (early) pics of the countertop as well. Yay! Super-Fug green faux-marble shit-tastic countertops are GONE-Baby-GONE. copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com
More About: Love , Matt , Contractor , The Con

Chandelier Porn.
2007-11-20 19:42:00
I know better than to sashay onto horchow.com...but I couldn't help myself. I am totally digging the drum shade OVER the crystal chandelier thing. And that white coral chandelier...well, let's just say that my AmEx went and hid when it heard me squeal like a goose. copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com

On The Eve-Eve Of Thanksgiving...
2007-11-20 14:49:00
Don't forget to enter the super-fabulous digital camera contest! CLICK HERE. We're taking off for Texas tomorrow to tackle Mrs. Tex's house over a 6 day period. I am armed with contractor bags, the business end of a broom stick and a bad attitude. Fall in line! Now, before you get your tire iron and prepare to rip us off, there are domicile sitters staying at our place. You're likely to find Colleen & Nat in a naked wrestling match. Colleen has threatened to leave post-it notes all over the place that say "we did it here too". Won't the cat therapist (doing Tal's sub-q fluid treatments) be surprised? Is it bad that I left a gift basket with toiletries, wine & condoms for my friends? No, just means I know em well. Anyway, here's a morning recap of what's happening over at a few of my favorite blogs...April is pondering the color of her zit, she believes it to be a perfect Dorito-Dust shade. What do you think? LINKPhyllis did a great post about her local hardware store. Oh how...
More About: Thanksgiving

Picking Out New Motion Sensor Lights...
2007-11-19 16:12:00
My sleepy little Hudson River town where pretty much nothing happens (hence my reason to run away to NYC at age 20) has actually had a few break-ins in the past year so we're upgrading some security stuff. We have motion sensor lights on the side and back but the front is fairly naked. I think I'm going to go for something clean & simple that might just blend into the color of the house instead of trying to make some grand Greek Revival lighting statement. I did check out retro street lights but it seemed kinda...hokey. So here are my thoughts, such as they are;Nice typo in that slide...sounds like I'm eating Lucky Charms. They takes ME breath away, they do. If I make a decision today...Matt-The-Wonder-Contractor can get it done pronto. Have I mentioned lately how great he is? He's putting in the new countertops tomorrow. SQUEAL!!!copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com
More About: Motion , Lights , Sensor , Picking

Shhh. Don't Startle Him.
2007-11-19 01:43:00
I'm in the living room and I think I hear the sounds of "cleaning" emitting from the Fiance's office. That office would scare the poop out of the Aussie Clean Sweep Dude on Oprah.copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com

Kitchen Renovation Pictures!!
2007-11-18 02:58:00
We spent last night being tortured at Ikea. Could the Long Island branch of Ikea be any more screwed up? Took them more than an hour to find the butcher block countertop - and they were not busy AT ALL. So annoying. Did I mention that we had to BEG 5 workers to place the order for us before one of them would do it? Such laziness. Anyway...the Fiance started banging on my head at 5:30AM and we drove the countertop up to the house. So excited with the work that Matt and his guys have done so far! The floor is looking great and feels warmer (insulation) already. The laundry room (aka breakfast nook) is what really took my breath away. We gained almost 30 inches in height (longest point from what will now be a an angled ceiling). Between the height and the brick - it's beautiful and I'm thrilled. I can't wait till the new windows are in, it's going to be amazing!!copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com
More About: Pictures , Kitchen , Renovation

Blogs I'm Linking To And Stuff Added To The Contest...
2007-11-16 15:18:00
I'm adding a 10-month subscription to DOMINO to the winnings on my contest. Check out the contest by clicking here. So I had my blog redesigned a few weeks ago and I'm still getting to know the new template, we've mostly made friends but she still bitch-slaps me occasionally. If you look up to the top there's a series of buttons...ABOUT - this is like, umm, about me n stuff. Dork. LINKS - in here you'll find links to other blogs that I love and read daily as well as a few fun "how to" projects and potential adventures. There's also a section that I called "Best of I Love Upstate" where I post links to my favorite posts or ones that seem to drive in new traffic (diy headboard, etc.)TO DO LIST - my albatross, the TO DO list. Chippin' away at it (and my savings account). FLICKR - if you can't live without seeing pics of our cat or the infamous "Sorry I'm So Stupid" cake from the Fiance, this would be the link for you!UPSTATE SHOP - the obligatory cafe press site with I Love Up...
More About: Contest , Blogs , Stuff , Linking , The Con

Rock On Jimmy!
2007-11-16 05:10:00
They call him Jimmy The Midget. I don't think he's a midget but I'm not really up on the criteria. He's just quite, short. Jimmy is a kickass plumber and I have heard sooo many great things about Jimmy from other contractors (and my Mom's boyfriend) that the mystery of Jimmy The Midget has always intrigued me. Aside from his vast plumbing skills (seen here installing a boiler and sportin' an I Love Upstate sign) Jimmy is darn tootin' cute as hell. How can you resist a man with a smudge of dirt on his nose? Rock on Jimmy! Rock on!I need to find some plumbing work in my house. Who wouldn't love a little Jimmy in their life? If Phyllis aka RH and I ever get this "Upstate Contractor's Calendar" off the ground, I'm reserving November for Jimmy - cause you gotta Thanks someone for Giving us Jimmy.Clients refer to Jimmy as; "...an all around righteous dude...". Thanks to JP and Jimmy for the pic!!!copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com

Yahoo Marketing...Taunting the Search Engine Gods...
2007-11-03 15:36:00
The Fiance received an enormous box this morning from Yahoo . Inside was a leaflet and a Staples Easy button done over as a Yahoo button. When you press it, it sings "Yahooooooo". Someone actually got paid to come up with this marketing gimmick. It's so incredibly lame and unoriginal that I can't even bring myself to discuss the resources that went into manufacturing and shipping this atrocity. I'm not the greenist kid on the block, but I'd like to shove this 'button' up the ass of the marketing person to see how long it takes to "biodegrade". In other news...the Fiance used his resources to make cupcakes with candy corn eyes & nose and a chocolate mouth. I give him an A for effort. It's really cute in an outsider art kinda way. :)copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com
More About: Marketing , Search , Search Engine , Engine

Things Aren't Always As They Appear, Or Are They?
2007-11-03 14:59:00
We have a cleaning service come once or twice a month to do a hard cleaning. I've been specifically asking for "Claudia" because she does a great job. Claudia is by far the most stylish cleaning lady I have ever met. She's in her early 50's and shows up with full on Mac cosmetics counter-style make up, 4 inch gorgeous leather boots and REALLY good knock offs of old Chanel suits and good pearl drop earrings. Did I mention her handbag? I covet her handbag. If you saw her walking down the street you'd think she was an Upper East Side society lady just waiting for Town & Country's photographers to capture her buying some brie and a baguette. Claudia exudes style out of every pore. She comes in and extracts sneakers, sweatpants & t-shirt from her bag and changes in the bathroom. Her perfectly coiffed hair goes up in a clip and she starts her work. Before she leaves...she changes back into a debutante. Claudia is so nice and she does a great job. It's just funny/odd, you can tell th...
More About: Things , Always

Be Still My Beating Elle Decor Heart...
2007-11-02 15:03:00
The fabric for the chairs arrived last night! Yay! I email’d the woman who sold it to me and it turns out she has LOTS more of it so I’m thinking I will do the entire chair in this fabric. Thoughts? I’m going to bring one of the chairs to the upholsterer dude on Saturday to confirm how much more fabric I need to get – and get him started on one of the chairs. The browns are actually really close but the slight shine of the fabric and my flash gives it a lighter brown/green tinge. Trust me, it’s close. I’m so happy to find a pattern I like that encompasses all the crazy colors in our living room. Small miracle, no?This month’s Elle décor is frame worthy. I love Elle Décor but lets face it, it’s unrealistic for most of us. We have pets, men, jobs…we can’t maintain that level of beauty and let’s not even discuss the costs. Heck, last night the cat ralphed on one of the chesterfields. OK, let's get beyond the barf, shall we? This issue is just, dreamy. The cover...
More About: Heart , Decor , Beating , Elle Decor

Frogs & Fairies & Toad Stools...Oh My!
2007-11-01 20:06:00
Was pulling out of the driveway the other day and spied this mushroom. It's gigantic! We might have to fence this puppy in. copyright 2007 iloveupstate.com
More About: Frogs , Toad , Stool

The Police On Halloween...
2007-11-01 13:52:00
In my continuing effort to take pictures of people doing bad things...I bring you; The Chimney Twins. These 2 lovebirds weren't aware that 100+ No Smoking signs plastered all over Madison Square Garden actually did mean...No Smoking. Weird, huh? I have to say, I haven't actually SEEN someone smoke at a concert in NYC in a few years till last night...and we go to A LOT of shows. The Chimney Twins decided to grace Section 311 with a double-dong-chain-smoke. Yup, pretty much one right after the other. Thank you. Thank you so much. I'm tempted to start a site similar to "rotten neighbor" but instead call it "shitty patron". Yanno, candid pics of people being selfish and having no regard for anyone around them. Shitty Patron. Hmmmm. Perhaps a winter hobby? The gentleman very romantically sang Roxanne (umm, it's about a prostitute) to his gal and then highlighted other lyrics that referenced "master and servant". So romantic. Yeah, I just puked in mouth too. Who did we go to see at MS...
More About: The Police , Police , Halloween , Allo