Coke in the bottle!

Remembering my beloved sister, Robyn, today and how much she LOVED Coke in the bottle!

Puts a smile on my face...

Damn you Punxsutawney Phil!

I was really hoping you wouldn't see your shadow this morning!!!!!!!!

Six more weeks of winter weather???

Boo!!!!!!!

AP Associated Press Photo

My January...

...proudly watched my niece, Lola, during her new swimming class

...joined the YMCA and am working my butt off (hopefully, literally!)

...along with boyfriend, adopted Gibson a lab/golden retreiver mix

...pissed off my cat Navin (see above!)

...painted my basement door with chalkboard paint for lists and fun doodles

...put off painting trim around new windows (ugh!)

...decided to start training for another half marathon in June

...began tackling basement project - more details to come

...viewed Sundance movie, Cyrus, during its grand opening at the Michigan Theater...enjoyed question/answer session afterwards with film producers and star, Jonah Hill!!

...enjoyed dinner club with my closest friends

...treated myself to a pedicure alongside my sisters, Jamie and Erin, while discussing Jamie's news/plans of being an expectant first-time mother!!

...spent time with friends and family celebrating the months birthdays and a surprise retirement party!

LaNa - January 2010

photographed with iphone and autostitch application

Yellow Tables...

I love the blog Black White Yellow which recently highlighted some Ikea Muddus tables.  I quickly realized I have something VERY similar! 

images courtesy of Black White Yellow

I acquired an old typing table years ago at the curb and until recently had been using it for a TV stand in my bedroom.  However, at the end of the summer, I painted it yellow to add a bright pop for entertaining on my back porch.  Since then, I have used it to hold our turkey dinner at Thanksgiving as well!  A great find and super fun in YELLOW!  While Ikea is a bargain...my curb find gives me pleasure!

Unfortunately, I don't have any before pictures, but just picture it a dingy olive/army green - much better with its update!

Buy Handmade!

Buy Handmade Video from Etsy on Vimeo.

Meet Gibson!

Proud to announce the newest member of the LaNa household - Gibson!

He's a golden retreiver/lab mix approximately 1 - 1.5 years old.  Navin, our beloved cat, isn't thrilled with the new addition.  Hopefully, that will be short lived!

P.S. Gibson is named after Kirk Gibson that once played for the Detroit Tigers.  We wanted to stick with the "Detroit" sports theme since Navin got his name from Navin Field aka "Tiger Stadium" in 1912. 

Wallpaper making a comeback!

OK Go - Do What You Want (Wallpaper Version) from OK Go on Vimeo.

It's not a song I can't get out of my head...

it's a radio!

Check out this beauty (at least I think it is!) at a local thrift store. 

I *almost* bought it last week, but 1) James and I didn't think that it was practical (well, maybe more him than me!), 2) it is HEAVY, and 3) I didn't have $30 in cash on me and they didn't take plastic.  If they had, it might already be at LaNa!

Where would I put it?  I'm thinking in the basement that we plan to makeover VERY soon.  The speakers sound great, it tuned perfectly (and we were in a basement!), and I don't have a turntable for the 1 record I still own.  And, I'm convinced that vinyl is making a comeback as my friend Maureen in 8th grade is all about records!

What do you think?

LaNa Anniversary!

So, January 11, 2010 came and went without me noticing that it was my 2-year anniversary at LaNa!  Can you believe it? 

A lot has happened in this two year period...good times, great friends, fantastic family, and lately a lot of bonding has taken place inside the walls of LaNa.  A BIG thank you to all of my closest for helping to make this house a home. 

XOXO

Bread Machine!

So, we got a bread machine from family for Christmas.  I had never really thought of asking for a bread machine let alone owning one...but, I LOVE it!!! 

I've made several loaves and thus far really enjoyed a white bread with dill seeds that called for cottage cheese instead of eggs or butter.  A lower fat alternative that definitely worked.  I will try experimenting with different recipes and will report back on my successes (or messes!) as a bread machine owner.

Thanks Dad & Linda!!

TGIF!

A treasured gift given to me by my Dad this

holiday season...BLATZ beer memorabilia!

This advertisement had once been used in my Grandpa's store -

Broadway Market in Lower Town (you townies know where that is!)!

Entertainment Center - Before & After

I just had to post pics again of our entertainment center.  I included a "before" pic so you could see what a difference this new piece makes at LaNa.  Love it!

Before

After

Holidays with my Grandma!

I am so fortunate to have my wonderful grandma in my life.  This past holiday season was her 104th (she turned 103 just before Christmas!).  I just had to post some photos of her as she is radiant!!! 

Me & Agnes as she models the beautiful shawl we gave her for Christmas...

Auds (my beautiful Mom!) with her mother, Agnes...

"Entertainment Center"

You may remember the mid-century dresser I wrote about finding at the ReUse Center and planned to use for an entertainment center...well, here it is in LaNa!

We LOVE it!  There is room in the 9 drawers for our DVD's, movies, games, and more!  A fantastic buy at $55!!  And, the best part is that we love how it looks and have no intention to paint - whew! 

Happy New Year!

Check out these "25 New Year's Resolutions for Going Green in 2010" from Planet Green! 

I was pleasantly surprised that I am already doing quite a few of these on the list.  However, 2010 may be my year to finally build a rain barrel!

photo courtesy of flickr

X-mas Decor at LaNa!

White House 2005

White House 2006

White House 2007

My Navin ornament from Byrl....

A fave ornament from my Grandma G.

A few other favorite decorations on our tree...

 

 

And, my niece's favorite...

Happy Holidays!

A wonderful quote...

that I found on apartmenttherapy...

William Morris in 1882: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or consider to be beautiful”.

Amen!

Lately, if I can't do double duty with an item or use it in multiple places within the house, then I'm not interested!  And, of course, every find has to be beautiful!

Here is my latest purchase...a mid century dresser that we plan to use as an entertainment center in the living room.  I found this beauty at the ReUse Center - one of my favorite haunts!  It was a steal at $55!

Our idea is to temporarily place the flat screen on top, but down the road install overhead.  We'll see how the DVD, Dish box, and VCR (yes, we still have one hooked up!) will fit.  It's possible that we may take out a few of the drawers on the left and place the componets inside.  For now, we will keep it au natural and see how it looks in the space.  If too dark, a paint job may be in our near future! 

This piece fits my idea of double duty as it has 9 drawers that can be used for storage...something that is hard to find at LaNa!

More photos to come soon...

What are your favorite holiday memories and/or continued traditions?

Given the time of year, I would love to hear your favorite memory, a family tradition, or a gift that you remember years later. 

I'll start!

My favorite memory would be Christmas celebrations with my sister, Robyn.  She would start the holiday with a stomach ache at my Dad's on Christmas eve...the excitement of the holiday, gifts, santa left her over stimulated!  She would then be the first to wake me on Christmas morning at our Mom's.  I remember waking to find her staring me in the eyes and saying "Are you up Laura?!"  We'd wake our Mom and the festivities would continue!

I have received several special gifts over the years, but the one that sticks out the most is a statue of a grey cat that looked like our "then" pet Fluffy.  Robyn gave me the statue and I still cherish it to this day. 

My favorite parts of the holidays now revolve around my 4-year-old niece.  I love to see the excitement in her eyes like I used to in her mommy's. 

I can't wait to hear from you on what memories and traditions make your holidays special!

xo

Weekly Etsy Finds!

 A great little gift by Moxiedoll for those of us who live in the mitten state!

I am in LOVE with this hotdog planter by madoniabotanicals!! I found one at a local antique shop and can't stop thinking about it...hmmm, maybe a holiday gift to myself!

A lovely tea cozy by Feet Up Furnishings

Nice loft featured on Etsy!

My Grandma!

Cheers to my lovely Grandma who turned 103 on December 5!  She is AMAZING!!!

Weekly Etsy Finds!

Today on Etsy, I am loving:

Vintage Morning After Rocks Glasses by babylonsisters

What a hoot!

Vintage Silverware Garden Marker by monkeysalwayslook

Would look great on a kitchen windowsill with fresh herbs!

Cuckoo Clock by decoylab

I've wanted a cuckoo clock at LaNa for sometime...could this be it?!

And, you've just got to love this video!   I think Hannah's place is super cute and wacky!  Can you imagine the dusting of all those knick knacks??  Like Hannah, I love to go to vintage shops to relax...something about it just clears my mind and puts a smile on my face!

Have a great weekend!

A wamer LaNa!

The cold weather is here and that means chilly temps inside LaNa! Unfortunately, it seems that there isn't much insulation in between our walls!!

Therefore, yesterday I took advantage of DTE's December special on energy audits. A representative came out to let us know what areas we could improve to lower our heating costs and also where we could get some tax credits.

Knowing what needed to be done already, I also had someone come and blow R 49 cellulouse insulation into the attic yesterday! Cellulouse insulation is made with recycled newspaper and is a wonderful green alternative. With the tax credit, I'm only paying half the costs out of pocket!!! Yippie!

And, what a HUGE difference! One night with more insulation in the attic has helped to take the chill off!

Included with my FREE energy audit was a programmable thermostat, five compact fluorescent lightbulbs, a low-flow shower head, insulation for the water pipes, and three faucet aerator's!! No charge AND they installed everything for us!! What a bargain!

Next up - new Wallside Windows before the end of the year on the second level. And with that...another tax credit! Yahoo!

More uses for wodka!

diy Network has highlighted vodka as a cleaner around the house...check out their tips!

Weekly Etsy Finds!

I spy with my little eye...these fantastic items on Etsy!  Just in time for the holidays!!

"Ties that Don't  Suck!"  Detroit Watertowers silkscreened necktie by Cyberoptix Tie Lab.  Awesome designs!!

Hot Pink Cardinal on Agapanthus Retangle Pillow by Joom. 

This would look great in my niece's new PINK bedroom!

Sterling Silver Hugs and Kisses xo Pendant Necklace by
Christina Kober Designs.  Love it!! xo

if you heart LaNa...

Thank you to all of you who check my blog regularly! If you love LaNa, please become one of my followers!

Cheers!

Monday Etsy Finds!

Baby Onesie by my friends at Fuzzy Baby Designs.

Sketchbook Ivory Pillow Cover by Nestables -
I could see this on my bed at LaNa!

Red Cone Dog by Pink Baby Mouse - LOVE it!

Birch Forest No. 8 Print by San Francisco's Lisa Congdon.
Birch trees remind me of my paternal grandparents...