HOUZZ: The Two People Behind the Gorgeous Picture & Decor Ideas

HOUZZ was begun in 2009 by a real-life couple: Adi Tatarko and Alon Cohen.  They had found it difficult to do their home-remodelling project. Being no exception to the smart folk residing in Palo Alto, Cali, they thought:  Why not put everything on a website or do an App and let your fingers do the walking. Thus, the birth of Houzz.

 Basically, there's a picture available on Houzz that captures your remodelling or building vision. Save it; click on its tagged items for purchase or for more info. There are many millions of pictures to peruse. You drool your way thru hundreds or thousands. Eventually, you choose/purchase the stuff of your dreams. You are happy, the merchant is happy, and Houzz makes a commission.  Simple.  Why didn't I think of it, haha?!!

The following pictures are a few that have inspired me during our Bath remodel.  Not that I actually purchased everything I'd ever desired, but I have many "Ideabooks" and I can continue to make future plans. May the best ideas come to pass, Lord willing!

for chilly bath days: fireplace & heated floors,

Photo by Kalu Interiors 

I heart orange!

Photo by The Bath Kitchen Pros LLC -

patchwork tiles

Photo by Cassidy Hughes Interior Design & Styling -

give me a hand

Photo by LeVernois Design Studio -

hello darkness my old friend

Photo by Almega Creative Builders Inc. -

shower-door love!

Photo by CM Natural Designs -

beware -- fire hazard!

Photo by Classic Kitchens & Baths -

towel racks

Photo by Stedila Design -

cute, little tub in a tight spot

Photo by Aaron Gordon Construction, Inc. -

huge towel warmer

Photo by Nicola O’Mara Interior Design -

H O U Z Z

Tile Trends 2018

*****

Trending: Bathroom Re-do Must Have

I didn't read the Domino Magazine article until after my bathroom renovation product choices had been made, but I  nailed it nonetheless.

Who would have thunk?! 

Your vanity is about to get a major upgrade. By: Anna Kocharian

As far as bathroom trends go, we've seen it all: Floor-to-ceiling tiles, concrete basins, and an array of paint colors that go on to inspire. But one decorative staple within the space has yet to see much of a refresh. Well, that is, until now. 

While it may be a commonly overlooked piece, it has the power to completely transform the aesthetic of the room. No, we're not talking about the tiling (although, some come pretty close) but, a more cost-effective swap that can really go the distance, design-wise. The item in question is the vanity mirror, and it's not your standard wall-to-wall piece or basic medicine cabinet. 

We've seen a major uptick of bathrooms decked with oval mirrors—a welcome departure from the standard square variety we've come to be accustomed to—and needless to say, the look exudes pure elegance.

Ahead, we look to the bathrooms, which have successfully carried out the trend with effortless ease plus, a handful of tips for how you can recreate the look at home. Take a look. 

Read the rest of the article H E R E

Only found one oval, jewelled mirror at my local Hobby Lobby store. Had to call several stores before locating another from over 20 miles away. Hubby was a doll for his willingness to drive there after a hard day's work. Also very happy about their 50% off clearance price.  Mirror is sold out.

 oval mirror from Spiegel

Photo by A.Jennison Interiors 

The New Bathroom Trend

9 Top Bathroom Trends

10.8.23.18

Healthy Monday: Beaches

Nothing turns your thoughts to beaches more than multiple days of 90-degree Fahrenheit temperatures.  

by C Heiser: There’s nothing quite as synonymous with summer as the beach — and we’ve got good news for those who flock to the surf and sand as soon as work lets out on Friday afternoon.

Research finds that spending time by the ocean is pretty good for your wellbeing. In fact, according to an analysis of English census data published in the journal Health Place, those who live by the coast report better physical and mental health than those who don’t.

And in a study published in the Journal of Coastal Zone Management, participants who live in homes with ocean views report feeling calmer than those without them.

So, it makes sense then that Hawaii has earned the ranking of happiest state in the U.S. by the annual Gallup poll six times since 2008, doesn’t it?

Waikiki Beach

California

Beaches Are Good for Brains

*******

Are You on the Millionaire's List per Fidelity?

D Ramsey's advice on consistent,
long-term savings

In the past year, there has been a 50% increase of 401(k)  balances of $1 million or more, per Fidelity Investments.

We are thisClose.  What has kept us back?  Repeatedly dipping into our retirement funds to pay for our children's college education (whatever scholarships or financial aid don't cover) & their other high-ticket outlays.

Has this financial regression been worth it?
YES. They're "educated' according to the world's standards and have begun their adult lives on the right footing.  We are beyond proud of each of them and their accomplishments.

NO.  The $$ return on our "investment" has been zero (thru non-investment) or pennies (or less) on the dollar via repayment. We are partly to blame.  We walked on eggshells regarding paying us back, and never put it in writing nor made it legal. We didn't push it because it's the duty of us parents to provide for children right up to and including college, right? Riiiiiiight.

But if any widow have children or nephews, 
let them learn first to shew piety at home, 
and to requite their parents: 
for that is good and acceptable before God.
(1 Timothy 5:4)

Internal Revenue Code 401(k)

List: Largest Publicly-traded Financial Services Companies

Fidelity.com

Fidelity Investments Inc

********

Bathroom Renovation: DreamLine Shower Door Finally Installed

pc: Home Depot

Bathroom #1's renovation pivoted around this shower door style. Hubby had said to go for classic (plain glass) doors, but this trendy look appealed to me. How could it not?!! As a compromise, we went for the affordable, easy maintenance version.

Contractor & assistant went to work and put-up floor/wall tiles, applied grout, painted and so on -- all in preparation for the door's installation. Their diligence and care still resulted in a difference of 1/16 of an inch on the shower area's width measurement, and boy did that make a BIG in the proper installation of a leak-proof shower door. They looked and sounded distressed. What to do?? Take off tiles and begin again? Buy a replacement one-panel door? Mired in my own feelings of distress, I offered them money to buy burgers for lunch if they fixed the problem (we all laughed about this later).

It took another 2 hours of them sweating, sanding and sawing to get the door perfectly installed and aligned, thank God. What a relief. Lesson learned: hire a skilled Contractor full of ideas and does not give up easily.

I came through on my bribe ... ehr... my lunch offer of burgers for the guys. Bath #1 renovation is done, and it looks simply stunning IRL.  

Dreaming & Waiting to Begin

Unidoor Toulon Shower Door

09.07.03.18
****************

Dog Quote on Ralph Waldo Emerson's Birthday

It's Ralph Waldo Emerson's birthday!!


A fave quote:

The earth laughs in flowers.

Another favourite quote by RWE: 

"There is another reason for dressing well, 

namely that dogs respect it;

and will not attack you in good clothes." 

LoL!

I want to attack this well-dressed 
doggy with kisses!

Ralph Waldo Emerson

********

Vacation: Fun in Oregon

(We have very fond memories of our trip to Oregon)

Living in Oregon

…According to Jeff Foxworthy 

· If you can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, and Dutch Bros, you live in Oregon.

· If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don’t work there, you live in Oregon.

· If you’ve worn shorts, sandals and a parka at the same time, you live in Oregon.

· If you’ve had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number, you live in Oregon.

· If you measure distance in hours, you live in Oregon.

· If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in Oregon.

· If your car has been hit by a deer (not the other way around), you live in Southern Oregon.

· If you have switched from ‘heat’ to ‘A/C’ and back again in the same day, you live in Oregon.

· If you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both doors unlocked, you live in Oregon.

· If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Central, Southern or Eastern Oregon.

· If you design your kid’s Halloween costume to fit over a 2 layers of clothes or under a raincoat, you live in Oregon.

· If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow and ice, you live in Oregon.

· If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Oregon.

· If you know more than 10 ways to order coffee, you live in Oregon.

· If you know more people who own boats than air conditioners, you live in Oregon.

· If you stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the “Walk” signal, you live in Oregon.

· If you consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain, you live in Oregon.

Crater Lake

· If you know the difference between Chinook, Coho and Sockeye salmon, you live in Oregon.

· If you know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Clatskanie, Issaquah, Oregon, Umpqua, Yakima and Willamette, you live in Oregon.

· If you know that Boring is a city and not just a feeling, you live in Oregon.

· If you can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food, you live in Oregon.

· If you never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho, you live in Oregon.

· If you have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain, you live in Oregon.

· If you think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists, you live in Oregon.

· If you know who grew, picked and roasted your free-trade coffee or who raised your local, organic free-range chicken, you live in Oregon.

· If you buy new sunglasses every year, because you cannot find the old ones after such a long time, you live in Oregon.

· If you actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your OREGON friends, you live or have lived in Oregon

Trust Me I'm a Biologist

Living in Oregon

*********

Guy and Pip License Plate: Happy Birthday Nora Aunor!

I have a strong feeling that the car owner is from the Philippines.

"Guy" refers to actress Nora Aunor (birthday, May 21st) and "Pip" is actor Tirso Cruz III . They were a mega-popular couple back in the day.

Nora was a nobody -- born poor, but catapulted to fame & fortune thru her singing ability.  Tirso sang also; so handsome that every girl from Housemaid to Grandma had a crush on him.  If Nora the plain-looking girl could attract such a handsome prince,  there was hope for the rest of us common folk. Sort of reminds me of the  Meghan Markle and Prince Harry romance, LoL.

Filipino Love Team


Nora Aunor

11.8.3.18

Your Speech is Performance Art

I first laid eyes on C.D. during his visit to our church last year. First impressions count, right?  This is what he looked like.

So, not an overtly handsome fellow. I got the heads-up the week before that he had wanted to go on the church-Speaker route as a "career" but had not had many invitations.  Hmmm ... was he any good?!! He made self-deprecating remarks. In his hurry, he forgot his cell phone at home (which was 4+ hours away). That would fluster me.

He began his message at the dais by telling us a little about himself: Raised by grandparents, rejected by the rest of the family, lost his  "inheritance", but felt God directing him to attend Bible College where he eventually received his degree.

Forty-five minutes felt like 10. I wanted to hear more. He was interesting and appealing. My mind never wandered. He knew his audience, and what to say and not to say.  His timing was perfect. He spoke at my level and was very non-threatening. Seemed like he innately knew what to avoid per the video by the public-speaking expert below. Chris was really, really GOOD!!!

Speaker: Please AVOID these 3 mistakes

1. STOP speaking to the audience

and START speaking to the individual

2. STOP caring about the audience's feedback

3.  STOP thinking that you're changing lives

Forbes: 10 Secrets of Public Speaking

********

God bless the Country of Turkey!

The country of Turkey is ripe for harvest!

35 Reasons to Visit Turkey

***************

Our Family's Illinois Unclaimed Property Claim

8 years after the fact

Thankful for the relative who gave us the heads-up on unclaimed property (cash) that belonged to our deceased Mom and Dad. These were assets that remained under the radar when we three Sibs closed-out their individual accounts.

The names are posted by the state after 5 years of none-activity has been noted (most likely through death or neglect).

We certainly rejoiced after our initial shock. We got started on our claim and were told that it would be "just a couple of months" to complete the process.

By the time the check was issued to us by Illinois,  it was over a year later. The amount was 5-figures but had to be divided among the three of us. We were aware of 2 relatives who also had claims, but they were entitled to only about $100+ each.  Thus,  our check was huge compared to theirs.  So, I remain extremely grateful for my share of the $$$. Praise the Lord!  It will certainly help pay for our home renovation.

Check the link below for your name or your loved one's name.  You may be pleasantly surprised as we were. 

IL Unclaimed Property







**********

Bathroom Renovation: Encaustic Tiles Versus Cement Tiles

I suppose I am on a search for tiles to replicate what I saw in Hawaii at Doris Dukes' estate. Here's a picture of just one area of her estate.  Unforgettable!

What Are Encaustic Cement Tiles?

********