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Wild + Still Alice + Hives.

April 11, 2015 by Abby Thome

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Holy life! Yesterday definitely did not go as planned. I had a deck + porch to be power washed. Kids to run back and forth to school + a fun crafty project to start. By noon Brody was covered head to toe in hives and we found ourselves at the ER that afternoon. No worries, thankfully we got there in time for a dose of steroids and he is SO much better! We’ll follow-up in a few days to dig deeper to find the cause of the hives, but until then we are spoiling him rotten. As we always do with our boys 🙂 Darn kids sure know how to give their parents a good set of worries!

Listen, this nerdy side of me is taking some getting used to. I get it.

“Where’s the abby talking about wine, get your mind outta the gutter kinda comments, and home projects??” Lately, you can find me with my time split between family, blogging, house stuff, reality t.v. and reading. I picked two books to read at the beginning of the year, secretly knowing they would take me months to actually get through – when actually, each book took only a few days.

I turned into such a bookworm. Hardly wanting to keep reading because I knew the end was just a page away. These two books rocked my work and I HIGHLY reccomend them for an amazing spring/summer read!

My last book, Still Alice was everything I had hoped for and more. It was gut wrenching, emotional, and I could not put it down. Having family who suffer from dimentia/alzehiemers it was a read that really gave me an entirely different look into this disease. To think all of those moments you spend with love ones who are suffering from this and you are saddened with how it affects YOU. Not giving it a second thought of what in the world may be going on with how THEY feel through the difficult walk with this disease.

Ugh. It choked me up.

Brought me comfort in ways I did not expect.

I think it is safe to say someone always knows someone struggling with this and this book really was touching in SO many ways.

You can snag them both on Amazon, we have Amazon Prime so my books of choice arrive at my door step just two days after clicking purchase! It is fantastic!

Oh how I love a paperback book. Any books you recommend for me this month?

Loving your recommendations!!

xoxo abby

Checking in!

April 8, 2015 by Abby Thome

Oh My! The windows are being installed as I type. For some extremely odd reason we totally believed the agent who sold us the deal that the windows were installed from the outside. HA. Are you kidding? These folks are lined up all around our house ( 2 crews total) and tackling this SO quickly! I had plans to make Quiche + coffee cake, and that is all getting swept under the rug.

The difference already is amazing. Crisp white windows instead of our nasty old painted over windows.

SO happy!

Incase you are bored at work or at home with your own munchkins I figured I’d share with you some one my favorite pictures from the past few weeks!

Brody at the butterfly exhibit at the Home Expo show. We had to go in multiple times. Owen never wanted to leave. He kept placing them on his fingers and walking up to other little kids and sharing his with them. It was adorable. Mayor Owen of butterfly town.

Speaking of Owen – this is not a bottle of lemonade folks. Wiggly toddlers ready to burst in the car pool line … this is the result.

This kid makes such an amazing scene before the school bell rings. I love his love for music – these sunglasses just take him over the top!

This lego table I snagged off of a buy/sell/trade site for our community. They are obsessed with legos right now. Both spending hours on end cracking up over the characters they build and carefully following the instruction manual. Best $25 dollars I have spent in a while!

Mornings in the Thome home. Breakfast on a blanket, swords right next to us, just incase there is a ninja intruder.

And my favorite text of the month. A picture of a young Dan. HA. I die, so sweet. That brown – moss like carpet. Wood rimmed couch and the hand on his cheek. I won’t even pick apart his outfit because we all had our days!

HAPPY WEDNESDAY you guys!

Landscaping Phase 2

April 7, 2015 by Abby Thome

Spring is here!!

Wahoo! I know it has technically been a few weeks, but on Easter Sunday we got a true taste of sunshine and warmth on our cheeks. It felt amazing! Also, a great reassurance that all the things we have been planning behind bloggin’ doors are going to be SO worth while!

Sorry, no “DIY” here right at this moment.

Truth is, I think every “DIY-er” should take it easy every once in a while and let the pro’s do the job. We are willing to do a ton of work, but work we are capable of. There are a handful of things we are not willing to dive into, so we have two big ones coming up this month that we are thrilled to hand the duties over to the pro’s!

NEW windows are going in this week! Every single dirty, unable to be opened, painted over 10x window is being replaced in our house. We are tickled pink that not only will they look sleek and be easy to open (finally!) but our energy bills will be able to loosen its belt loop and take a break. Hit the road $300 + energy bills! Dan will not miss you!

Second project to be tackled this month is our yard, back and front. We have spent weeks getting landscapers to come out and quote us on our backyard first. You guys, you would faint if you saw some of these quotes. We cut down over 23 trees last fall as a lot of you remember, a few weeks ago we had those very same stumps ground. Now we are left with a backyard, covered in debris and looking like a giant wack-a-mole game. Holes everywhere! We need the entire backyard leveled out, cleaned out, soiled, seeded + hay placed. We’ve had quotes from $3,500 – $7,650!

Our landscapers of choice got the big fat yes when he gave us a price right under $3,000. We know it is a big job. We need grass SO badly in our large backyard. The thought of attempting to clean the backyard out alone would take Dan and I weeks upon weeks to get done. THIS is when you turn to professionals who have the equipment and crew to get things done correctly and quickly.

So money is flying out of our windows, literally, and our backyard is raking up the bucks. But, these are both super wise investments. Ones that will last and live with our house for decades to come. I am kind of proud of us. We usually jump to do projects that are easy to please … new furniture, decor, home renovations. We are true adults now, we chose windows and landscaping over a finished basement.

Here is a peek at what our yard is looking like right now.

A few before and after, because those are the best! The jungle like pictures are the before(s) – and the after pictures are the ones that the yard looks like even more of a hot mess!

Remember that beauty? Last summer, just months after moving in we tackled our collapsing porch front!

Now we have a new pretty porch, these awesome solar lights that rest on top of the posts that light up at night and cozy rocking chairs to sit in sip on tea in the summer time. As you can see, we are fresh out of winter. The mulch in front of the porch is going to be removed – and we will lay fresh black mulch and figure out the plants.

We have these awful ivy beds that we spent months upon months spraying and raking out. This is what we are left with. YUCK!

Same on the right side. The majority of our lawn (back and front) is moss. Hopefully with fresh seed being planted and Dan trimming a TON of the trees back, we will successfully grow grass this year!

THE BACKYARD…

The backyard lacked many of things. the biggest turn off was the fact that sunlight was not to be found. Ever. While it kept our house cool it was a pure bummer to our entire family and our bodies that begged for vitamin D!

This is exactly where we stand. Covered wood stacks from the 23 trees we cut down. An entire yard filled with stump grindings and holes everywhere you turn. Ugly, unfinished, and unsafe.

Oh look! Our Christmas tree!

You get the idea? It’s like our entire backyard got a brazilian wax. It’s feeling stripped, but needing some loving. HA.

The fact that we had to turn to professionals should be no surprise at this point! The job is simply far too big for us to tackle. At the end of April the project will be started and by June we should have GRASS!! Ah!

We are dreaming of a plush grassy backyard for the kids to play in. Hydrangea wrapped around the deck and later than sooner a privacy fence. Clean, crisp and family friendly!

Happy Easter!

April 5, 2015 by Abby Thome

From our home to yours, we want to wish you a Happy Easter!

Spending the entire weekend with the ones we love and enjoying every ounce of this giddy, easter egg finding, candy filled day!

Much love!

xoxo Abby, Dan, Brody + Owen

Meeting Jeff Lewis!

April 1, 2015 by Abby Thome

For those of you on social media you saw that on Monday my laptop completely broke. Today Apple called me and said it was fixed and I could pick it up! Ah! I thought it was an April Fool’s joke. I squealed and went wee wee wee all the way to the store!

There are a few things I hope for in life – many of which I am destined to fall short on.

Have a successful blog turned business.

Hit puberty and grow boobs.

Travel more often.

Buy + fix up houses …design for people.

Meet my idols.

On Sunday, one of those things came true. I met JEFF LEWIS you guys!! For those of you turning your head sideways like a pup waiting for a treat thinking, who?! Shame .. shame on you.

Jeff Lewis is an unbelievably talented, and driven designer whose 15 seconds of fame during a t.v. pilot (not even for him) turned into what now will be the 8th season of Bravo’s Flipping Out. Dan and I have watched every single season, including other shows he has been on and we love every drop of his work and his personality.

Cleveland had a Home Expo show this past weekend and we had the opportunity to see him speak. I was sweating you guys. Like my 14 year old self waiting for Nsync to come on stage. He walked out, everyone applauded and yelled … I screamed ” I love you Jeff!” Just as enthusiastically as I did for J.T. at the concert back in the day. I had a direct eye contact line with him and prayed the entire time he would lock eyes with mine. Ha. It didn’t happen, BUT I did to get meet him and take a picture with him, which made my day!

An older gentleman standing in line behind me was chatting my ear off laughing at how excited I was. He was a little rude and funny all rolled into one. He told Dan that I was glowing, and how lucky he was that I chose him and not Jeff (ha). And then went on to say that he could never be an employee at Jeff when he loses it on them. I told him Jeff could hire and fire me as much as he wanted. Just to get a side by side glance at his work life …. uh. I’d die.

Dan let me go first and have a moment with him. Honestly, I did not want to chat his ear off he had a HUGE line following us. Before the meet and greet, I prepared to mention the blog, give him a business card and beg him to hire me for a Cleveland employee. I failed to mention all of that and just smiled and shook my head as HE carried on a conversation with us.

Dan and I were so touched that he actually wanted to chat, we told him how we are on our second fixer upper and currently live in ours. He said how that is such a great idea for starting out, because you never know which way the market will sway. I was completely giddy chatting with him. Gage, his partner was standing in the line next to him and I yelled “Gage! Lookin’ sexy today!!” He just smiled, and probably wanted to call for security. Gosh, my big fat mouth.

Needless to say, this was a day I’ll never forget. Jeff has built an empire. He is an entrepreneur to be admired and Dan and I can only hope to accomplish 10% of what he has in his life.

Jeff — Call me!!

Here is some of my favorite room designs by the one and only, Jeff Lewis.

Jeff also has his own paint line that Dan and I are dying to get our hands on! You know us and paint – can’t stop, and we won’t stop.

He has the most gorgeous tones that will go room to room so beautifully! Check them out!!

Buttermilk Banana Bread

March 27, 2015 by Abby Thome

Shortly after posting my nightly skin care routine on the blog yesterday, I turned to find a dirty kitchen staring right back at me. As hard as I try, my ocd tendencies will not allow me to ignore the mess, so I took on the groundhog-day to day- task of cleaning up the kitchen. After all was wiped down and dishes put away I had 4 brown bananas sitting underneath the shelf waiting to be peeled and baked into something.

Just as deep as my cleaning habits go, I try my very best to not let a banana go to waste. If we were smoothie drinkers, I am sure they would find their home in a blender daily … but since we haven’t jumped on that train yet — I bake.

This recipe for buttermilk banana bread has exceeded all others I have tried in the past. I am so impressed with the simplicity of the recipe and how perfectly they were cooked through! Moist, thin crisp outer layer, speckled with baked banana and one loaf got served an additional speck of love with chocolate chips.

Because two loafs are better than one.

If you are home today, with brown bananas staring back at your on your counter, make this! Your loved ones will be smiling ear to ear!

Banana Bread

Author: Abby Thome

Ingredients

4 ripe bananas – mashed
2 tsp vanilla
8 Tbsp melted butter
2 cups buttermilk
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
3 Tbsp ground flaxseed (you can omit)
2 heaping tsp cinnamon

Instructions

Pre heat the oven to 325* Prep 2 loaf bans with non stick spray + parchment paper
In a medium bowl, mash up the bananas and melted buter. Once smooth, add the buttermilk, eggs, vanilla and sugar. Combine well.
In a seperate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and flaxseed.
Pour the dry ingredients into the wet, folding until completely incorporated.
You can divide the batter evenly amongst the loaf pans – or pour 1/2 into one, and in the bowl add a cup of mini chocolate chips to the batter, pouring that into the second loaf! Yum!
Bake at 325* for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick once inserted comes out clean.
Let cool on a wire rack before using the parchment paper to remove the banana bread.
Slice and enjoy!

xoxo abby

My nightly skin care routine!

March 26, 2015 by Abby Thome

I have always fluctuated in my level of interest in beauty products. In high school, I was a whore. A product whore that is. I loved makeup – I had handfuls upon handfuls of all different shades of shadows, lip glosses that made my lips plump and a makeup routine that left me looking what I thought back then, to be flawless.

Fast forward to now, on the brink of turning 29, and more than 10 years later not only has my makeup routine changed, but my skin care routine has taken a complete turn.

I care more, a lot more.

I noticed my skin breaking out still over the years – getting flustered month and month again. Thinking that phase of my life was supposed to be behind me. During the winter months my skin is so dry it is practically raw, and in the summer, my skin needs just as much tlc to prevent my fair complexion from seeing too many rays of sunshine. I stuck with the same facial cleansers and moisturizers because I was far too fearful that switching would only make matters worse, and I did not have the energy to cover anything else up.

I wanted to use products that not only were natural but ones that would be extremely beneficial to my skin. Not just remove my makeup at the end of a long day – ones that would do that, and leave behind properties that would take care of my skin throughout the entire night.

I wanted to share with you guys two products I have introduced into my nighttime skin care routine that have changed the appearance of my skin in such dramatic ways! I am truly a believer behind these, but like all products, I advise you to do your own research and consult with your doctor before jumping in.

SO – at night, in the past, I would always used a makeup removing cleanser. It appeared to take off my makeup, but always leaving a few streaks of eyeliner behind to finish off with a wipe. I found myself still breaking out – and wondering what in the world was going on when I was properly cleansing my skin 2x a day.

After following a few bloggers and reading numerous articles about these two products I am about to mention, I immediately flipped my regimen around. Not only has my skin improved drastically, but I feel so much better knowing that I am not putting harsh chemicals on my skin day in and day out. (which, come to find, is exactly why I was struggling with acne and uneven skin tone)

Welcome my new best friends ..

Now, if you are a foodie out there you already know the endless benefits from these two products. Coconut oil and apple cider vinegar can be found in my pantry, and in my bathroom closet now.

Organic Coconut Oil + Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (with the mother)

Is your head cocked sideways thinking, “what in the world do you do with those abby?” Well – here is your answer

Organic Coconut Oil

At night, before I shower I apply a “two peas” size dab of coconut oil to each of my eye lids as a makeup remover … rubbing with fingers and gently wiping away with a clean wash cloth. Coconut oil acts as an amazing makeup remover you guys! My waterproof mascara is removed so gently, and my eyes do not burn like the used to with other products.

You can use this on your entire face if you wish, but I tend to use it as a moisturizer at night a few times a month to give my skin an extra kick of nutrients.

Drink it up pores!

Benefits of coconut oil for your skin:

Dry skin? coconut oil is a fantastic moisturizer, helping aid your flaky dry skin.

Anti-aging properties: loaded with vitamin E – which is loved for its anti-aging benefits!

Anti-inflammatory: helps with eczema

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Okay, I did not believe this one either …. until I watched this video by the gorgeous mama to be of 3 – pinkpistachio.

She breaks down a lot of information in this video tutorial – I HIGHLY recommend watching it!

benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother

Balancing: naturally balances your pH level. So if your skin is too dry, it will help keep it hydrated and if it is to oily it will level your pH out so it is not.

Exfoliates: it exfoliates dead skin cells and has properties to aid in regenerating new skin cells!

Clearing: helps clear acne + fade discoloration spots

I do not use this every night — I tend to use it every other night and have been completely obsessed with the results. Only thing she does not mention is the smell that goes along with it — it drives Dan crazy, but I think he will appreciate my glowing youthful skin in years to come! After I apply the apple cider vinegar (in the exact fashion as missy does in the tutorial) I apply my nightly moisturizer and that is that! So easy, and SO beneficial! You guys, just wait until you see your cotton rounds covered in dirt after you use this apple cider vinegar, I could not believe what was being left behind with my other cleansers! Also – please make sure you watch the video … it is important you follow the directions if you are going to do this (and ask your doc)

What are some of your favorite skin products that you cannot live without? I am all about using these lately — to embrace less makeup by helping my skin be the star so I do not have to cover it up as much! 30 may just be around the corner, but I am hoping I am taking the right steps to keep my skin at the top of its game!

xoxo Abby

Currently …

March 24, 2015 by Abby Thome

I am in between a few different projects over here. So I thought it would be fun to do another “currently” post.

making: a new logo for the blog (you likey?) It is the upper left hand corner.

cooking: aebleskivers from Trader Joes – these are addictive billowy balls of goodness that will leave you aching for another.

drinking: starbucks awake tea with honey + soy milk, my daily addiction when I am trying not to cave in and buy my green tea latte!

reading: Still Alice – you guys, I just started last night and am likely to finish by the end of the week. It is captivating.

wanting: a new fence – had a guy come out and qoute us this morning, we will more than likely need to win the lotto to make it happen. Unless someone out there wants to donate? Haha..

looking: today for a new piece to refinish. I am itching to do some sanding and painting today.

playing: this hedbanz game with Owen – as I attempt to type this all.

wasting: time by second guessing myself far too often.

enjoying: looking out our kitchen window at our yard that is almost ready to be planted with grass. It’s been a long road!

liking: these 4 pillows at Home Goods I have been eyeing for months. I do not think I can sneak another pillow in this house without Dan admitting me to decorators rehab.

wishing: honestly, I had a career … to feel accomplished.

wondering: when baby #3 will enter our lives, when will the time be right?

loving: my boys this week — this spring break fever has made for happy wild little men and I am loving that.

hoping: my “plans” I have for the blog, my next few steps are supported and loved by many.

needing: a pedicure. massage. facial. A ladies day for sure. Covered in wine and fried foods.

smelling: sticky syrup residue from the munchkins liberally dipping their aebleskivers.

wearing: jeans – pink tank top – gray sweater. You know, hot mom gear.

knowing: that this fence guy is coming to come back with a ridiculous quote for the fence.

thinking: I should shower before my doctor’s appointment and look like I have my act together.

listening: miley cyrus singing we can’t stop on jimmy fallon, don’t judge. so good.

feeling: hopeful and excited for these next few steps …

Want to hear it for yourself?

Numbers on Stairs!

March 18, 2015 by Abby Thome

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I have read emails and have heard from so many mouths – someone aching to do a project that their spouse does not agree with. I could make this part of my life an entire chapter in a book. As much as Dan and I agree on projects for this house, we shoot down just as many ideas of what one another would like to do.

I have brought up this idea numerous times. Shown tons of pictures …. begged …. pleaded, and still Dan did not like what I had in mind.

Sometimes you just have to push forward.

Put out a bit more and see if that eases your way into the project of choice 🙂

Ladies, are ya with me?

Just like that, I hit a sweet spot one morning on the phone, and barely had to convince Dan to let me make the purchase. Once I got the official go ahead I did not waste another breath asking anything else, nor looking for more reassurance. I stripped what I needed off of the shelves and ran like Rocky to the checkout feeling equally as triumphant.

God it feels good to win sometimes.

I have fantasized about having a staircase layered with numbers. Yes, I know how to count, so this is not for an educational purpose. However, I do have two munchkins that could benefit from the sight — and I, myself was aching for more dimension and texture on our stairs.

Stairs like this ….

-source-

Don’t you love it? A few things I love, and a few things I knew I needed to change to fit our family best. The thought of stenciling our stairs would be easy – but I have dirty fast little feet that kick those backs every minute of the day. I would be erasing/repainting/re-stenciling far too frequently to commit.

And my lightbulb moment happened.

Address numbers!!

Yes, a bit more expensive than using a stencil ….

But, here are the facts. Screwed on – which cannot be removed by the kids! Can be screwed off, when the backs of the stairs get dirty and need repainted. These have dimension, adding depth and texture to our stairs that I have been longing for!

So yesterday I took a little bit of extra time to repaint the backs of our stairs a fresh coat of white. I know, call me crazy, I love a fresh coat of paint more than a great push up bra.

The first few stairs are off centered – so I found the center point of the top stairs (roughly 18 inches in) and marked my way down. I’ll admit, for some reason it takes me a few times with a drill to get in rhythm, and it drives Dan crazy! After the first two stairs I busted through the rest and it turned out exactly as I had always envisioned it too!

The addition of these numbers (pun intended) really adds so much life to an area of the house that normally just gets completely looked over.

The boys are loving walking up and down the stairs sitting down at what number “they are” – discussing what they will be next year, so on and so forth. It is adorable!

Our entryway has really taken a turn for the better …. way better.

I am so glad I got Danny in a weak moment of saying yes … after all was painted and screwed, I think it is safe to say I had the right idea all along!

Interested in doing this yourself?

Here ya go ….

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Show me some love and PIN this project on Pinterest!

xoxo abby

Brody turns 6!!

March 17, 2015 by Abby Thome

By the way … Happy St. Patricks Day! Years ago at this point in the day we were knee deep in beer and dancing away to fancy jigs giggling and trying to not puke all in one breath. Fast forward to today and we are at home, with colds, sipping away on tea and blowing our noses every 5 minutes. The only green in our day is our boogers. Ha. But we do have some fantastic food cooking away in our oven at this moment – and I’ll share that all with you tomorrow along with a project I tackled this morning! Now it is time to switch to wine and chat about Brody who recently turned 6!!

I think I just fainted/pooped my pants/cried and gasped all at the same time. Where in the world did my baby go?? I mean, really. What feels like just yesterday I was a terrified 22 year old girl, in love, finding out Dan and I were expecting.

Insert the first sentence I said here, only in past tense. I felt all those very same things that I do now realizing that my first born is a 6 year old boy. I have watched this sweet boy go from a 8lb 7oz bald headed babe with giant eyeballs, grow into a chubby lovable toddler, and now a sweet-sensitive-light up any room he walks in boy.

Gosh guys. This really makes my head spin.

His birthday party was a house packed full of people who adore him and we could not be more grateful to celebrate this kid with people we love so much.

Nearly every ounce of baby pudge has completely vanished. His big blue eyes have stayed large and in charge. And, this boys heart seems to grow by the day.

Playful. Sincere. Athletic. Funny. He is one of a kind.

One whom Dan and I are so lucky to call our very own.

One of two best DIY’s we’ve made yet 🙂