First off...I want to say sorry to my (maybe) 4 followers...I put my blog off because of work and trying to spend any extra time with my husband who has a really busy schedule these next couple of months.
Well we have a BIG announcement! Wait for it.....wait for it....we did it...we saved enough money to buy our first home!! We are really proud of ourselves! I never in a million years expected to see that number in my bank account...but with a little bit of sacrifice and hard work (and a lot of praying!) we manage to save the money. Now with all this exciting news...we are facing a big dilemma...HUGE! Do we buy a house or a condo?
A few months ago I would have said "DUH!!! Buy a house...you want a house...that's all you ever wanted!!" And it is...I want a 4 bedroom...3 bath...home in Eastside Costa Mesa. Well that costs about 750,000-950,000...HAHAHA... um ya...didn't manage to save that much money. So we (my husband and I) have been going back and forth on the idea of a condo..here are some pros and cons we made
Home Pros
Its what we've wanted
No HOA's (most likely)
A backyard for our dog and future kids
Finally get the garden I want
Home Cons
Higher Monthly Payment
In a city where we don't really want to live
I would have to work full time
More home maintenance
Less time spent with my husband
Condo Pros
Low monthly payment
Can save more money each month
I wouldn't have to work (ugh ugh soooo tempting!!)
In a city we want to live
Rental potential for the future
Condo Cons
HOA's
Less space
Smaller outdoor area
Can't paint/re-do the outside
No garden
We don't know what to do! The stress is starting..any advice is always appreciated!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Something we agree on - No T.V.
Since we don't currently own our home, my husband and I spend many nights lying in bed talking about what it will be like and what "rules" we'll have. We dream of leaving the house and NOT putting Rio in his crate...dropping our shoes and coats by the front door instead of walking them to our closet...sitting down to eat before we clean the mess in the kitchen...it's the little things right? But one thing we know for sure, we do not want a T.V. in our house...well at least for the 1st year...and we don't want to ever have more than 1.
WHY? WHY? WHY? I will miss all my favorite shows...Weeds, Big Love, I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant. My husband will miss the soccer games he gets up to watch at 4am and Man vs. Wild.
So why?
It's simple, we are done wasting our time watching t.v. Now Now Now before you get all hissy with me, I'm not saying I don't LOVE T.V. cuz I do! I'm obsessed, but I can't just sit down and watch one show...one show leads to a Lifetime movie....that leads to the nightly news...Tool Academy...18 Kids and Counting...I look at the clock and somehow it's midnight, my husband and dog are snoring and I can't remember if I told them I loved them or heard about their day.
So why to not have a t.v.
1. spending quality time with family
2. saves electricity (and a hefty cable bill)
3. If something we really want to watch is on we can socialize with our friends and watch it at their place
4. Probably sleep better because watching Paranormal Activity is giving me nightmares
5. I'll catch up on all that reading I've been meaning to get to
The list goes goes on...
WHY? WHY? WHY? I will miss all my favorite shows...Weeds, Big Love, I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant. My husband will miss the soccer games he gets up to watch at 4am and Man vs. Wild.
So why?
It's simple, we are done wasting our time watching t.v. Now Now Now before you get all hissy with me, I'm not saying I don't LOVE T.V. cuz I do! I'm obsessed, but I can't just sit down and watch one show...one show leads to a Lifetime movie....that leads to the nightly news...Tool Academy...18 Kids and Counting...I look at the clock and somehow it's midnight, my husband and dog are snoring and I can't remember if I told them I loved them or heard about their day.
So why to not have a t.v.
1. spending quality time with family
2. saves electricity (and a hefty cable bill)
3. If something we really want to watch is on we can socialize with our friends and watch it at their place
4. Probably sleep better because watching Paranormal Activity is giving me nightmares
5. I'll catch up on all that reading I've been meaning to get to
The list goes goes on...
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
OUT With Granite, IN With Marble
Ok Ok I still love granite, it is extremely durable and it can take a beating...but I'm sorry nothing compares to Carrara Marble. It's classic, it won't go out of style, and it just makes a room look WOW. I know it's extremely expensive, but I can dream right?
If you know me, you know grey is one of my favorite colors. I wear it almost everyday (2 grey cardigans I alternate ha), my wedding colors were grey (white and green), my purse (for the moment) is grey, I drive a grey car (alright it's silver) ok you get the point...I lust grey!
Since I don't think I could ever justify doing an entire kitchen or bathroom in marble, here are some of my ideas to get a little bit of "out of my league" stone in my home
Marble Backsplashes
Marble Islands
If you know me, you know grey is one of my favorite colors. I wear it almost everyday (2 grey cardigans I alternate ha), my wedding colors were grey (white and green), my purse (for the moment) is grey, I drive a grey car (alright it's silver) ok you get the point...I lust grey!
Since I don't think I could ever justify doing an entire kitchen or bathroom in marble, here are some of my ideas to get a little bit of "out of my league" stone in my home
Marble Backsplashes
(love the marble island paired with the dark granite)
Marble Fireplace
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Rio > White
I have a thing for white furniture. White couches, chairs, linens… I heart them so much! It’s crisp, clean and gives off a statement without being obnoxious or too trendy. Nevertheless my love for white is small in comparison for my love for Rio. Rio is our 11 month old puppy, who according to our vet and doggy day care staff is the most energetic dog they’ve ever met. Rio likes to swim in the pond, dig to China, and jump on every piece of furniture we have.
So my love for white furniture will have to stay in my dreams…
Look at these amazing white ideas…
Pottery Barn - White paired with beige tones and greys
So my love for white furniture will have to stay in my dreams…
Look at these amazing white ideas…
Pottery Barn - White paired with beige tones and greys
Restoration Hardware - Besides the beautiful linen couch look at the map of Paris, you could easily do this at home for minimal cost.
I really like fabric chairs, besides Rio, I worry about other peoples grimy fingers, but nothing a little Scotch Guard couldn't help prevent
Z Gallery - Hollywood Glam! Pretty trendy right now, but I bet your could find an old thrift piece of furniture and have mirrors put on the drawer fronts
Crate and Barrel - Colette Chair, save some money and just buy two for the ends of your table
Well maybe I can have just one piece of white furniture…This couch is from Ikea, it has a removable slipcover that can be machine washed and it’s only $399!!!! Add some chic pillows and I’m set!
Friday, February 19, 2010
East Side Costa Mesa
My husband and I are living with my mom right now in order to buy our dream home in East Side Costa Mesa. People are like "OMG you live with your mom...isn't that hard?.... I could never do that...yada yada." I can't tell you how AMAZING it is to have my mom understand the importance of us buying our first home together and letting us stay here so we can save for something we really want, not just something we can afford. I guess I should mention that she's awesome and her house is big enough so we don't feel like we are on top of each other. Plus our dog has a great backyard to run around in that we couldn't find in any apartment.
Anywho, whenever I'm in the Costa Mesa area I go to my favorite coffee spot, Kean, where the coffee is fantastic and makes you feel like you're on crack...but in a good way.
I pop into all the great boutiques and yummy pastry shops like Susie Cakes
And then with my coffee, cupcake and dog I drive...or sometimes walk...the beautiful streets and let my imagination run wild. I love that every home is different, that the lots are large, some are single homes, duplexes, or apartments. I picture us raising our kids in an environment where they can walk to a store or to their schools.
Right now I have my eye on this house...it's a total fixer upper and probably needs about $100,000 worth of work done...our families think we are nuts...but I don't care because whatever home we buy it will never be finished...
Imagine the trees gone...fresh new sod and simple ferns...painted white with crisp black shutters...a porch added...and a cute white fence...it takes a lot of imagination :)
Anywho, whenever I'm in the Costa Mesa area I go to my favorite coffee spot, Kean, where the coffee is fantastic and makes you feel like you're on crack...but in a good way.
I pop into all the great boutiques and yummy pastry shops like Susie Cakes
And then with my coffee, cupcake and dog I drive...or sometimes walk...the beautiful streets and let my imagination run wild. I love that every home is different, that the lots are large, some are single homes, duplexes, or apartments. I picture us raising our kids in an environment where they can walk to a store or to their schools.
Right now I have my eye on this house...it's a total fixer upper and probably needs about $100,000 worth of work done...our families think we are nuts...but I don't care because whatever home we buy it will never be finished...
Imagine the trees gone...fresh new sod and simple ferns...painted white with crisp black shutters...a porch added...and a cute white fence...it takes a lot of imagination :)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
A Home Is Never Finished
Hi friends! I'm Dara, a 27 year old girl who is absolutely obsessed with homes! When I was little I would sit and read my mom's "Better Homes" Magazine's instead of watching Nickelodeon. I love everything about homes down to water heaters and electrical sockets. I am very eclectic with my taste and unfortunately fall hard for trends, at one time everything in my bedroom was from Ikea :( I am not an interior designer, I have not taken any formal interior decorating classes, but I do know what I like. I hope you enjoy my blog!
In a perfect world the front of my home would look like one of these....
You are going to notice trend of black and white... and many other details
Love Love Love the flags!
It's "The Father of The Bride House"...the only thing it's missing is my wrap around porch and a fun colored door :)
In a perfect world the front of my home would look like one of these....
You are going to notice trend of black and white... and many other details
Love Love Love the flags!
It's "The Father of The Bride House"...the only thing it's missing is my wrap around porch and a fun colored door :)
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