Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Kids Surprise Spring Break

The boys are going to New England!!!


If you all have read THIS, you know I deeply miss my brother.



We are a tight family and his relocation to Boston has proved straining on us all. My mother and my boys have shown more sadness then myself and my dad. We are the "suffering on the inside" kind of folks.

So, this afternoon my mom called me to share with me how she missed my brother, how he must be skinny from not eating a proper meal and that he needs help with finding a new house and settling in. The moment I rolled my eyes I knew that ALL mothers have the same worries and thoughts plaguing them while their kids are away from them. I felt like a total jerk.

 

I researched some airline tickets and in less then 15mins. had my mom and the boys all booked up for Spring Break. They leave next week.


My dad and I won't get to see BOS this time around. We'll be working to make these little adventures possible and missing the family. But I look forward to going the later part of April and start exploring what can be my new home in a year. WHOOO!

Oh, did I mention that @DonnieWahlberg is from Dorchester, MA #LOVE =D

 

I'm in love!!!

~Rosanna

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Monday, March 26, 2012

What's your designing style

Mine is Transitional. What ever the heck that means.

Here's a great read over at HGTV.

I always thought of my self as Suburban or Eclectic. But as I read on; I found that I much dislike clutter but with two growing boys, can't seem to get from under it. I dislike bold colors; they are too loud and at times obnoxious. I prefer browns, tans, sages, creams and lots of textures. Metal; shiny or dull. Different wood grains all in a room appeal to my eye if they stay cohesive. But I must, must have white somewhere or it just doesn't seem to come together for ME. Oh and I rather have a plain wall rather then an over accesorized wall with 'Stuff' all together the wall or on every wall.



I had a old friend that called my style "boring". But her house is a style disaster. Every room has a different theme. Every accessory is a different color. Seriously! Her kitchen had red accessories, black and whites diamonds floor tiles and green cupboards. Her staircase has a school bus yellow sun mural about 5x8 covering the entire wall. Listen, I never took her criticism seriously since, holy cow her house is a total "What not to do" or "WTF?".  

Boring is not a word that I would use to describe Transitional. I think it's interesting, eclectic, soothing, textured and minimalistic. I would call it more "inviting".

Notice the light blue, light yellow and the wood? how relaxing and inviting is that? I picture the kids on the floor in front of the fireplace playing UNO or Monopoly. I could not live w/ out my fireplace in the basement. What will I do when I move? possibly buy an electrical unit.


What do you think when you look at these spaces?


High ceilings, crown molding, armed chairs, fireplace. Doesn't this look like heaven?


Can't wait to get a much bigger house. Boston, here I come! And maybe it's time to paint my coffee tables Heirloom White and add some pop of color. White.


-Rosanna


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Friday, March 23, 2012

New Floors Reveal

From crap to FAB!!!


Before



After


Enuff said!


-Rosanna

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Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Is it possible to have too many mirrors in one room? My living room has 3. Eh, maybe I'm just vain. =D

I can't believe that I found this mirror at a garage sale during my lunch time on yesterday for $10 while the price on it says $169. I know everyone is spring cleaning and the last thing I wanted to do was bring MORE "stuff" home, but she's so pretty and her previous owner hated her. I think she's adores.

It is now a part of my favorite things


Aww my pretty sunburst mirror. No DIYing going over at my house for a sunburst mirror. Whoooeee


Look at those sexy curves. It's the sickest mirror!


Spring cleaning.Size does matter.

~Rosanna
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Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Spring = Curb Appeal

Happy Spring Everyone!!!

My house is in desperate need of curb appeal. I've been wanting to go the black shutters red door route and I've decided it will happen this weekend.

I have plenty of paint left over from many other projects. So, the goal is to not spend more then $40 on flowers so get started.

I have so many visions in my head. Black door, black shutters. Red door, black shutters.





Which is the prettiest?



But get this; I never thought of painting the storm door and that was mostly my delay. I kept thinking of ways to replace it w/ out spending $300 on a door. Therefore, I will paint it.


Tomorrow I have a pretty big interview and I'm uber excited and scared though this change will help me find my way to Boston in the for late 2013. Whooeee! But tonight I will remove the shutters and maybe prime them and put some equity into the house. My goal is to be done by June. #DreamsDoComeTrue



Painted storm door. How purdy!
 
Some Feng Shui suggestions:
The colors of the door should reflect the compass direction it faces according to the Five Elements and/or be in balance with the elemental properties of the energies of the sector where the door is located. I have listed associated colors below.
  • South (Fire) = Reds, pink, burgundy.
  • Southwest (Earth) = Yellows or browns.
  • West (Metal) = White, silver, copper or gold.
  • Northwest (Metal) = White, silver, copper or gold.
  • North (Water) = Blacks or blues.
  • Northeast (Earth) = Yellows or browns.
  • East (Wood) = Greens.
  • Southeast (Wood) = Greens. 
My door faces North. Red or Blue. Hmmm, we'll see.

BTW, this is how I'm spring cleaning this year. 


Size matters!

~Rosanna
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Friday, March 16, 2012

A Personal Sibling Reveal

I'm going to share a very personal event in my life with you all. My brother is moving out of state and my heart is aching, seriously aching.


I've often heard of sibling rivalry, but I can honestly say that I have never felt that. I have always admired and wished/hoped to be as strong, intelligent and independent as my brother. There being only two of us as siblings and losing my father to cancer at the age of 10, I've always looked up to him for protection and guidance. I realize today that that might have been a burden for him as he was growing into his manhood and probably still deals with it today. He is the male figure that replaced my fathers at a very early age for quite sometime. So, in short Nelson got shafted.

I've always been very close to him despite being in different boarding schools 100's of miles apart during our adolescent years. But I can tell you; no one has ever replaced or come close to loving him as I love him. He knows me the best. He knows what makes me sad, anxious, nervous, scared and happy. Seldom do we ever have a person in our life that can tune in to our feelings and my blessing is that it's my brother. The person I will have the longest relationship with.

I can recall when I was 6 or 7 yrs old and our father was in NYC receiving cancer treatment at The Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan while we were in Santo Domingo for a week w/ my aunt Atala. We were scheduled to fly out to NYC and stay with our grandmother Mama while my mother tended to dad in the city. 


So, we prepared for our 1600 mile flight across the three seas. Nelson helped me pack and made sure all my dolls and sneakers were packed away. We checked in at the airport. I was half his size and very much the curious type in short I was very spirited. I'm certain, I must of been a challenge for him to control but like most things Nelsons does, he managed effortlessly. He held on to my hand and walked me through the crowd on to the plane, surrendered his window seat to me which I love till this day. He made sure I was buckled in, had a teeny white pillow and a fresh blanket. I remember my nose being plastered to the window of the plane watching everything that happen outside. Nelson read the "in case of emergency landing" pamphlets and went over them with me. Then he tentatively listened to the flight attendant go over the procedures and oxygen  mask application instructions.

WOW! I was so excited to be flying home to see my papi and mami, I kept squirming in my seat. Shortly after the flight took off Nelson took me to the bathroom and waited patiently outside. I don't recall whether he ever used the bathroom. I suspect he didn't want to take his eyes off of me.

That was the first time I realized that my brother was my protector and that I could with out a doubt count on him. And Nelson has never let me down. I've had the best relationship of my life with him. I don't remember a time I wasn't proud to call him my brother!


Now as grow older; that bond has strengthen. I still remember that little girl holding hands w/ her brother, looking up at him as he guides her along a crowed airport full of people and many unknowns yet, she knows that her brother will always be there no matter what the challenge or distance.


Nelson, I am proud of you, your strength, your nobility, your smarts and your courage. I am excited about your new journey and knowing that you will make the best of it. You have never disappointed. As the years go by I know that you are the person that will I know my whole life and the person that I will continue to grow closes to. My heart will ache from your physical absence but it will be filled with thoughts that you are pursuing your dreams and aiming towards a bigger goal. I can't wait to follow you soon! Shine and make your mark.

Take on Boston!

From a sister to a brother.



~Rosanna
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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Picking Out New Floors

Here's my inspiration; although you know I have a small galley kitchen I plan on making it a teeny pimp kitchen! LOL


Hard work does pay off!

I've been M.I.A working, parenting, cabbing the boys around from one activity to another and now it's time for my reward.

I get NEW FLOORS!!! just in time for Spring.. Oh La La

Help me pick the right one tone for a neutral contemporary suburban look.


Ick for the picture taken w/ my cell.


Above being the lighter wood

And my favorite, being the dark pre padded Mohawk that I found on sale for $0.50 Whoooo!


Here's a close up.



Yes, it's dark and yes, I've heard that there is a rule "Darker makes a room look smaller". Well, I've never followed rules and this yet another one that I'll be breaking... Stay tuned!! =D


~Rosanna



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Monday, March 12, 2012

Spring Cleaning and Laundry are two different things (Part One)

Hey ya'll!

Happy Monday. I'm so excited and ready for Spring. My tulips are starting to sprout. I'm getting a dumpster this weekend to de-clutter Every. Single. Room.

and

RE-Decorate!!! Whoooeee

But I'm starting it off w/ laundry. Using the newest Tide Pods.




~Rosanna



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Thursday, March 8, 2012

New Inspired PB Headboard

I've been a busy bee. Work continues to take over my life. So much so, that I've even hired a cleaning lady. She will do the regular dusting, vaccuming, moping and thank God LAUNDRY!!! =D

Anyways; remember my Ikea headboard? It's cute but now I'm bored w/ it. So, I thought I would try this... Reveal coming tomorrow. See how I continue to get inspired by you!



I will get this posted as soon as I have a min. so that you see how beautiful it looks.

Stay tuned!

~Rosanna



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