poor man's gard[en]

isn't it a lovely tuesday?

maybe i'm really optimistic

because i'm sitting on a balcony

overlooking the pacific ocean

down in newport coast.

but, you don't have to be

on the ocean to enjoy

your day. it just helps. 

today's poor man's gard[en]

features our completed kitchen.

yes, completed.

we finished tiling the floor,

touching up the walls with paint,

and putting the baseboard in.

and, our fridge is back inside.

all in all, we spent a total of $120.

a bit over our projected total. 

but it usually happens that way, right?

and, if you really think about where our

kitchen started and what it looks

like now, it is a great deal.

we are enjoying the new look of our kitchen.

and i broke it in by cooking some yummy

thai food the other night.

here are some before photos

boring...

outdated...

& here is the completed kitchen

do you see those floors? 

you could call us professionals now.

but seriously, we cut our own tile

(i used a wet saw for the first time),

measured, glued, grouted, nailed, 

and painted everything. 

it is so satisfying building something

from scratch and seeing the finished product.

i am now inspired for more projects. 

just no grouting, please. 

(the grouting was the worst part

of the whole experience. worst)

and, to see a previous blog that captures

more aspects of our kitchen, you can

go here

now we are ready to finish the outside of our home.

oh, and we found more space on the side of the

house that would be a great space to plant

a vegetable garden. perfect! that is the next 

step to our garden. i cannot wait.

jonathan and i are also down in newport

coast until friday evening. 

it is going to be a nice time

of sunshine, solitude and beauty.

that being said, this week's features

will be a bit different

as i am not able to paint pieces this week.

but i promise you won't be disappointed

with some of the things i'll share

in lieu of my normal features.

i hope you are inspired today, dear friends.

i would love to hear some of your personal 

creations and projects. love!

                     .jessnicole.