Upstyling the House

I finally tried to make a better effort to give our home some more warmth. I struggle with investing too much in this house, because I am itching terribly to graduate to a larger house. And with that, I don't want to buy decorations and furniture for this house that won't work well in our next home, wherever and whenever that may be. I'm a firm believer that you should spend the money to get things that you will keep and enjoy long-term. And if I'm going to keep things long-term, that means it has to work for this house, the next and as many more after that. Everything has to be classic and stylish at the same time. I don't want to be stuck with stuff that could be dated in five years.


So, with all that in mind, I set out to make our home a little more lived in and cozy. 

My main focus was the office. It's cold and bare, and I spend a lot of time in there. So, with some wall decorations, my mom and I were able to liven it up. The curtains will be replaced eventually...with...Chevron Curtains! I'm so excited. I just have to relearn how to sew. Or sweet talk my mom into doing it. So, look out for an update sometime on that. I've also played around with the idea of putting a rug in there...or a light fixture. But, not sure if I'll get around to that. 

Then, we added some pillows and new pillow covers to the couches. And new accessories on the mantel, piano, and coffee tables.  While we were shopping in Pier 1, I randomly mentioned to my mom that I needed an owl...and now...I'm slightly obsessed. And I think they'll be around or a long time. 

Operation Beastmaster

Yesterday was Jason's birthday. And I wanted to make it special...memorable. So, I had these big visions of him coming home to a sparkling, clean house, lit candles, mood music and a ridiculously gourmet meal of like lobster, scallops and some other technique-driven foods, just so I could show off and prove that I can cook (since we all know he does the cooking 95% of the time). Well, I didn't start planning early enough and I quickly got intimidated out of trying anything too crazy. I mean, I wanted to be confident enough to know we wouldn't be ordering pizza at the end of the night. So, I flew by the seat of my pants once Wednesday rolled around.

I made Avalanche Bars and Piña Colada cupcakes for him to take to work and share with his co-workers. The Avalanche Bars are basically Rice Krispies Treats hopped up on steroids. They were incredibly easy to make and quick too. But, then that seemed like too little. So, I decided to throw in some cupcakes. I had all the ingredients for the Piña Colada cupcakes, so I took a shot in the dark. And, boy, am I glad I did!! They were phenomenal!! Light, moist and they tasted exactly like you were on the beach sipping on a Piña Colada! So good!

Then, I went about setting up something I've been wanting to do for like ten months. A Nerf war! So, I created a package, delivered it to his car to be opened when he left from work, and prepped in the meantime.

When, he got off work, it was on!! I loaded my gun, slipped some ammo in my pockets and crouched by the window waiting for his car to pull up. Then, I got the bright idea to hide in the Yukon, which was in the driveway. There's no way he would be expecting me to come in the house behind him! So, as he pulled up, I peeked out from in the Yukon and giggled. His head was clearly already in the game. I watched as he got out of the car, loaded his gun, stored his ammo and slinked into the house. I crept out of the Yukon and into the house and was met with fire coming from the office. The game was on! We had an absolute blast and he was totally a kid in a candy store. And apparently he was finally thankful to see that his practice with Nerf guns was actually going to come in handy after 12 years. Whatever, I still beat him!!

After a break, we then proceeded to dinner. Which he loved, despite it not being the aforementioned dinner. On the menu, we had:

• Appetizer: Shrimp Cocktail 
• Main Course: Prime Rib with Horseradish Sauce 
• Sides: Rolls, Mashed Potatoes & Tomato, Olive and Mozzarella Salad with Basil Vinaigrette 
• Dessert: Brandy Alexander and Chocolate-Covered Strawberries 
• Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon 

 Before dessert, I gave him his gift. Which was funny, because he was way more excited than I had imagined he'd be. But, I'm glad he loved it. I mean...who wants the complete collection of the Lost series?!?!  Haha.  So, anyways I think he had a happy birthday. Woot woot!!!

Valentine's Day

Jason and I made an agreement. It was my idea. And some people might like the idea, some might not. But, I think it suits us well. What's the idea? We agreed to never make Valentine's Day a big deal. No gifts...ever. Just cards and the occasional nice meal. How can you turn down a four-course special meal by a top OKC restaurant?

Anyways, it dawned on me one day that I've been incredibly naive about this day of the year. It's all about the guys doing things for the girls. At least that's how society treats it. It's about jewelry, chocolates, and flowers, and making up some extraordinary evening to woo your gal. So, the pressure is always on the guys, and I think that's utterly silly. My initial thought was...well, I'll just go out of my way to spoil my hubby rotten that day, so that he doesn't get sucked into this idea that Valentine's Day is some day where he has to get the obligatory chocolates and flowers. Fine.

But, then I decided that we should outlaw Valentine's Day in this home. At least in the normal sense. I'm all for pulling out the stops for our anniversaries. It's something special to us. September 24th holds a meaning to Jason and I that it doesn't for every other couple out there. It's our special day. Aside from that, Jason and I find the most fun in our random outings. Where we go balls to walls....for no reason at all, but just because. It's fun to go to a really nice restaurant and they ask you "So, what occasion are you celebrating?". And we just reply, "No reason."

So, we tried to keep it low-key this year. We had a late dinner reservation at The Mantel, so we figured we 'd go see a movie to kill time before. So, we saw "This Means War" which was a pleasantly entertaining romantic comedy. Then we grabbed drinks at the Boleros Bar in Bricktown. Dinner was great. And when we got back home, I declared "I hate Valentine's Day". So, next year, we're going back to just making a fancy home-cooked meal and enjoying it at home. Forced holidays about love are silly. It's so much more fun when it's just because. But, I had fun, and my Valentine was sweet and surprised me with flowers (which I think goes against the whole no-gifts thing, but I'm not complaining).