I have a new blog!

For years, my family has jokingly referred to me as "Martha Stewart...in black."  Let me explain... I may look like every other dorky, twenty-something, childless tom boy, but I'm actually quite the little homemaker.  I've only ever made pancakes from scratch (from memory...no recipe), I have veggie-growing skills you should be envious of, I LOVE home-decorating and my eye will start to twitch if a picture frame is even an inch out of place.  So, when I show up to a family dinner donning a crummy black band t-shirt (and hair that's dyed 5 shades darker than my natural color) toting a dish that's pretty enough to be photographed for a food magazine...it comes across as a bit odd.  I've spent more time arranging a cheese and cracker plate to take to a party than I spent on my appearance for said party.  BECAUSE IF IT DOESN'T LOOK JUST RIGHT THE WORLD WILL END.  It won't of course, but try telling that to my inner Susie Homemaker.  And then my family will say, "You're like Martha Stewart!...(pause)...in black."  I dispatch crane trucks by day, kickbox by night, and spend hours drooling over the gardening section of Pinterest on the weekends.  Go figure.

I've toned down my "punk" look a lot in my old age, but when I was younger the juxtaposition was even more drastic... Picture an anti-social 18-year old girl in way too much black eyeliner and skull-covered Vans frosting a cake in the shape of Barbie.  It's happened.  More than once.  Oh, wait...you don't have to picture it, here is the proof.  And of course I'm wearing black in this photo.  

 

I blame/thank my mom for me becoming the domestic dynamo I am today.  I've been cooking since before I was even tall enough to reach the stove.  I vividly remember the horror on our babysitter's face when she found 5-year old me sitting on the counter next to the stove boiling water so I could make Top Ramen for my sister and I.  I didn't understand what the fuss was about...I cooked all the time.  When I was 16, I spent my hard-earned waitressing money on paint, brushes and wood trim to redecorate my bedroom.  What high school junior asks for Home Depot gift cards for Christmas??  This one did.  Side note:  Home Depot is my favoritest store evah.  But that is another post in and of itself.    

To round out my secret Susie Homemaker identity...I'm newly obsessed with all things Do-It-Yourself thanks to this little guy.  We bought a house!!!  Hence the inspiration for this blog... 

As you can see this 1950's gem needs some love.  A LOT of love.  Like, $50,000 worth of love.  But I'm determined to transform this little sucker into a cozy and inviting home for about 10K and I'll be posting all of my projects on here.  I'll be doing the majority of the work myself and transforming / resurfacing / upcycling what I already have to work with instead of buying everything new.  I'll be bargain-hunting, yard-saling and dumpster-diving!  Okay, well probably not dumpster-diving....because what would Martha think???