Because We Don't Like Eating on the Floor

Fear not, friends and neighbors!  The days of standing around the kitchen bar are over.  We finally have a central gathering spot for game nights, snacking, and swooning.  Okay, I'm probably the only one doing the swooning.  But can you blame me?  I've been pining for a reclaimed wood table for quite a while, and here it is in the flesh!

I mentioned here that I sold our previous Craigslist table.  On Craigslist.  So when Upcycle rolled up with this beaut, I was practically lying on it as they carried it in.  I had no idea how much I would miss having a table for 4 weeks.  Sure it's great for eating dinner on, but where else would I put piles of mail and knick-knacks to gather for weeks in a huge chaotic mess?

You may also notice the bright yellow chair in your face.  We grabbed that on Craigslist for $20.  And the stool on the other side was another Craigslist find for just 5 bucks.  I like having it as an extra seat, in case we have more than 8 around the table.

The rusty metal base was originally part of an old work bench, we think.  

Then came these guys.  Two of these transparent chairs were listed on... you guessed it... Craigslist, for $25 each.  Since I was planning on selling 2 of the 4 woven IKEA chairs for $25 each, it was basically an even trade.  

Here's the full set, jiving happily together around the new dining table.  I plan to toss a couple faux sheepskins over the transparent chairs when I get a chance to order them.  You may recall that we had one on the living room rug.  After one delightful Jackie GI explosion, the crisp white fuzzy piece was history.  You're welcome for that great image I just created in your head.  So for now, the purple scrap fur has it.

I've been a little scarce here lately, but hoping to make a greater appearance this summer.  Life is busy.  Have you noticed?  So come back soon.  And in the meantime, go outside.  Spring is here!

Wine (& other delights) in SF

Thanks to a fabulous bargain on Southwest flights and one very hospitable friend, we were able to take a long weekend trip to San Francisco this month.  I hadn't been before, but the city has made my "favorites" list fo sho.  I'm still infatuated with New Orleans, but I may have a wild fling with San Francisco from time-to-time, too.  

Our first morning started with a ferry ride and tour on Alcatraz Island.  I'm not usually into audio tours, but this one was pretty great.  Plus the weather was gaw-geous.

It's kind of spooky, right?!  Maybe if I had photo shopped some storm clouds in...

Alcatraz library.

After the tour, then meandering around the city a bit, we got dolled up and headed to Treasure Island for a Dinner Lab event.  If you're not familiar, you should be!  Gourmet food, tasty drinks, fun venues, plus an excuse to meet new people.

The next day we ventured outside the city to wine country.  First things first though... Golden Gate photo ops.  The selfie was not a success.

Better?

P.S.  The breeze is responsible for this puffed-up dress look... no baby under there, Mom.

On the way to Sonoma County, we stopped at Hog Island for raw and barbecued oysters.  It's a fun, laid back outdoor restaurant where you can BYO wine, snacks, etc. and shuck oysters with pals.  Apparently the oyster-shucking requires advance reservations.  Since even watching oysters being shucked makes me feel faint, I wasn't too disappointed.  I know.  I need to toughen up.

A windy and scenic drive led us from oyster paradise to Bella Wine Caves in Healdsburg.  We sampled a handful of complimentary wines with our friend slash wine member extraordinaire, and I daydreamed about hitting the lottery and buying a vacation home next door.  It wouldn't be a bad life.  My lack of picture-taking at the vineyard is shameful.  I guess this means we'll be making another trip!

We spent nearly the whole day in Sonoma, then got up early for coffee and another San Francisco exploration.  Fly Wheel Coffee Roasters has siphoned coffee.  Fancy pants.

I could walk around the Haight for hours, checking out the shops and houses.  I'll take another vacation home here, please.

Following a good walk, we rented bikes on Haight St. and rolled leisurely through the park to the beach.  Access to wine country and beach?  Give me a break, San Franciscans.

The rest of our time was spent catching up with friends and trying new food/drinks in the area.  Memorable, but no share-worthy pictures to be had.

Thanks to our fantastic neighbors who wrangled the pugs while we were gone, and our awesome pal who gave us a bed and some invaluable tips during our visit!

Anyone else pulling a mini-vacay soon?  Even if you love where you live, every now and then there's nothing better than taking a few days to escape to somewhere new!

Thrifted Kilim Rug

Sometimes I browse through a thrift shop and leave completely empty-handed.  Other times, I find a cute pair of champagne coupes.  Or the perfect piece for a Mardi Gras costume.  Or an inexpensive terrarium jar.

Then, there's the rare occasion when I hit.  The.  Jackpot.

And I celebrate in a fashion that looks similar to this.

What makes me dance uncontrollably under a spraying bottle of champagne, you ask?  Okay, there's usually not champagne.  But I can't help but do a little jig when I find something like this.  Meet Kilim rug.  From Goodwill, no joke.  He's been walked on a lot in his day (and he's a little wrinkly in these pictures), but I adore his every flaw.

You may remember our previous rug... from Lowe's originally.  It can be seen in a million old posts, but here's a glimpse of it in our old apartment, in case you don't remember:

Worked well for our house in Indy, and I actually still liked it.  I just really wanted some color.  And this new fella does it for me.

Since I didn't have another good spot for the old traditional rug, it got a new home via Craigslist.  And this guy took over the dining room.

Last weekend we finally got our reclaimed dining table, by the way.  I can't wait to show you what it looks like on this sweet rug!

So what about you?  Any great thrift shop finds these days?!