I have had a really busy week and mixed with my 10K training workouts I really haven't had the time to sit down and do any projects or anything blog-related. And since the rest of my week/weekend is jammed packed too I don't know when I will ever find the time!
Today I wanted to share with you a website that my coworker sent to me to check out this week. It is called 100 Abandoned Houses and it is a collection of photographs of abandoned homes in the Detroit area. The photographer, Kevin Bauman, started taking these photos years ago so you may notice some older model cars and such around the homes, but many of them were recent and showcase the ghost city that Detroit is becoming.
I find them quite beautiful, in an eerily sad way. Some of the homes were destroyed by fire, but others have just been neglected or vandalized to the point of collapse. I can't help but think about the families that once lived here and what happened to them. Where did they go? Why did they leave their homes?
It is strange to think about how your home just can't possibly exist forever and that one day it may be gone. My grandparents lived in the same house for 55 years and their greatest fear when they sold it was that the new owner was going to tear it down (thankfully they did not). We grow such strong attachments to our homes, but eventually we all leave for one reason or another. I really wonder what will happen to my little condo one day. I don't think condominium buildings have been around long enough to see what happens to them long term.
Anyways, if you get a chance today, please visit www.100abandonedhouses.com. I was really fascinated by it!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Happy Blogiversary To Me!!
Well peeps....today marks one year of blogging!! I never thought I would actually stick with writing this little puppy for so long and I am so excited to finally hit this landmark!
When I began blogging, I think I just had these dreams of doing creative things in my condo and sharing them with the world. I wasn't sure what I expected would come of it- no readers? 5 million readers? I really had no idea and no plan. I just typed. And through the months my focus has changed a bit. My blog has moved from a DIY/design blog to more of a design/lifestyle blog since I realized I now have a platform to talk about Alopecia, and life in the city, and other things that people might enjoy. It has really been a great adventure and I have learned a lot.
In one year I have had:
The best part about blogging, though? The people. When I first started out in this little blog world, I was excited to have my projects out there and to write pretty posts and such. Never did I expect to be so embraced by this blogging community. Once I joined Twitter it exploded. I have this amazing group of bloggers that I chat with every day and I feel so blessed to have them in my life. We laugh and commiserate so often and I feel like we are real friends, even if I haven't met them in person!!
A big question posed to bloggers is "Why Do You Blog?"
I blog because it gives me a creative outlet.
I blog because it forces me to get off my butt in the evenings and do something constructive
I blog in order to get feedback on ideas from my peers
I blog to belong to an amazing, supportive community
I blog to spread awareness of Alopecia
I blog to spread awareness of teeny tiny condos
I blog to share my life with my family and friends
I blog because it is a challenge (but also fun!)
I blog for so many other reasons I cannot even articulate!!
I make no money off this blog. In fact, I am pretty sure it costs me a lot of money because I keep buying things for the condo now :). I am really just here typing away because I enjoy putting content out there every day! I hope to take what I have learned this past year and put it towards improving the blog for another year so hopefully I can meet some more great bloggers and expand my blogging circle!
2nd year goals:
Hugs and Butterfly Kisses,
When I began blogging, I think I just had these dreams of doing creative things in my condo and sharing them with the world. I wasn't sure what I expected would come of it- no readers? 5 million readers? I really had no idea and no plan. I just typed. And through the months my focus has changed a bit. My blog has moved from a DIY/design blog to more of a design/lifestyle blog since I realized I now have a platform to talk about Alopecia, and life in the city, and other things that people might enjoy. It has really been a great adventure and I have learned a lot.
In one year I have had:
- 51,000 page views
- 268 posts
- 40 subscribed followers (and other friends and family who tell me they read daily!)
- 688 comments
- 377 spam comments
- 10,000 typos
The best part about blogging, though? The people. When I first started out in this little blog world, I was excited to have my projects out there and to write pretty posts and such. Never did I expect to be so embraced by this blogging community. Once I joined Twitter it exploded. I have this amazing group of bloggers that I chat with every day and I feel so blessed to have them in my life. We laugh and commiserate so often and I feel like we are real friends, even if I haven't met them in person!!
A big question posed to bloggers is "Why Do You Blog?"
I blog because it gives me a creative outlet.
I blog because it forces me to get off my butt in the evenings and do something constructive
I blog in order to get feedback on ideas from my peers
I blog to belong to an amazing, supportive community
I blog to spread awareness of Alopecia
I blog to spread awareness of teeny tiny condos
I blog to share my life with my family and friends
I blog because it is a challenge (but also fun!)
I blog for so many other reasons I cannot even articulate!!
I make no money off this blog. In fact, I am pretty sure it costs me a lot of money because I keep buying things for the condo now :). I am really just here typing away because I enjoy putting content out there every day! I hope to take what I have learned this past year and put it towards improving the blog for another year so hopefully I can meet some more great bloggers and expand my blogging circle!
2nd year goals:
- New header and some other webpage tweaks (in progress!! hopefully soon!)
- Bathroom reno will finally get under way
- More organized posts so I am not always scrambling to write something last minute
- More small space posts- I live in 400 sq ft, unlike most bloggers, and I need to showcase that angle!
- Increase in tutorials and craft ideas
- Get back into sewing!
- Less typos (ya, girl can dream!)
- Better photography
- If you are a blogger, why do you blog?
- If you are not a blogger, why do you like reading blogs?
- What ideas do you have to improve my blog next year? (Be honest!)
Hugs and Butterfly Kisses,
Casey
 |
| Photo Credit: Lisa Wilson |
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
A Little Spring In My Step!
This past weekend had such beautiful weather I had to get outside for a walk on Saturday! Somehow I ended up walking to HomeSense. How very strange ;)
I came home with a giant vase for my TV stand (I have been wanting something more substantial for there) and that led to me deciding to swap out some stuff on the TV stand to make the whole view a bit more springlike. Here is a reminder of what it used to look like:
The red vase had long since stopped matching my condo and will go down into storage for another day when red becomes part of my decor again!
And now, my new TV stand arrangement!
Yay! Check out my new vase!
I spent a good 15 minutes in the flower section of the dollar store making this arrangement. I originally wanted white hydrangeas, but I guess they are not in season at the fake flower supplier, so I got a mix of other flowers. I thought it turned out quite nice! I shall be adding fake flower arrangements to my resume :)
I also got rid of the pine cones from my apothecary glass and put in this white flower ball thing that I got from the wedding section of the dollar store:
All in all, this update cost me about $30 ($20 for the vase and $10 for the flowers) and it is making me very excited for Spring to fully get here. We are supposed to get a couple more weeks of cold...but hopefully soon that sun will break through!
I came home with a giant vase for my TV stand (I have been wanting something more substantial for there) and that led to me deciding to swap out some stuff on the TV stand to make the whole view a bit more springlike. Here is a reminder of what it used to look like:
The red vase had long since stopped matching my condo and will go down into storage for another day when red becomes part of my decor again!
And now, my new TV stand arrangement!
Yay! Check out my new vase!
I spent a good 15 minutes in the flower section of the dollar store making this arrangement. I originally wanted white hydrangeas, but I guess they are not in season at the fake flower supplier, so I got a mix of other flowers. I thought it turned out quite nice! I shall be adding fake flower arrangements to my resume :)
I also got rid of the pine cones from my apothecary glass and put in this white flower ball thing that I got from the wedding section of the dollar store:
All in all, this update cost me about $30 ($20 for the vase and $10 for the flowers) and it is making me very excited for Spring to fully get here. We are supposed to get a couple more weeks of cold...but hopefully soon that sun will break through!
Monday, March 11, 2013
Vanity Vanity!
Yesterday I finally went out and looked at vanity tops for the bathroom!! My mom and I went first to smaller boutique type bathroom store and they offered to get me a quote. But then we went to Lowes and Home Depot and I found a more off-the-shelf item I liked more!
At both big box stores my mom and I were drawn to the countertops offered by Mr. Marble. They have a few different stones for various price points and multiple colours. We loved that they were all-in-one sinks and thought that they looked mighty sleek with no seams. Oh, and did I mention they come in custom sizing?! My countertop needs to be 33 5/8ths across so I couldn't buy a standard top! The Lowes employee mentioned that there is a 1/4 allowance, so I may go a tiny bit smaller when I order and then caulk any gap that is left.
Here are two options that they had on the display with the integrated sink:
If you want to see other integrated options, please see here on the Mr. Marble website. I am not sure which option I like the most yet (I think the sloped edge on the white one above is my favourite so far). All the different options are no additional cost! Go Mr. Marble!
The prices ranged from $300- $475 depending on the type of stone I choose. I liked a nice veiny grey marble, but I may have also swooned for a sparkly white option that unfortunately was the $475 option. Sigh haha
We also took a look at some options for a new faucet and mom and I both liked this waterfall option:
I originally was against waterfall (I feel it will never look clean due to water stains) but the other options were all kind of ugly in my humble opinion. Plus there isn't a huge selection of bathroom faucets with a single tap vs. two and I prefer the single tap.
It is 21 days to get in a custom top so I just need to make up my mind and order now! What do you think?
At both big box stores my mom and I were drawn to the countertops offered by Mr. Marble. They have a few different stones for various price points and multiple colours. We loved that they were all-in-one sinks and thought that they looked mighty sleek with no seams. Oh, and did I mention they come in custom sizing?! My countertop needs to be 33 5/8ths across so I couldn't buy a standard top! The Lowes employee mentioned that there is a 1/4 allowance, so I may go a tiny bit smaller when I order and then caulk any gap that is left.
Here are two options that they had on the display with the integrated sink:
If you want to see other integrated options, please see here on the Mr. Marble website. I am not sure which option I like the most yet (I think the sloped edge on the white one above is my favourite so far). All the different options are no additional cost! Go Mr. Marble!
The prices ranged from $300- $475 depending on the type of stone I choose. I liked a nice veiny grey marble, but I may have also swooned for a sparkly white option that unfortunately was the $475 option. Sigh haha
We also took a look at some options for a new faucet and mom and I both liked this waterfall option:
It is 21 days to get in a custom top so I just need to make up my mind and order now! What do you think?
Friday, March 8, 2013
10K Training!
I am pretty much one week into my 10K training so I thought I would give an update into how it is going. The long runs in my training program have actually been going really well. Last time I did one I ran 8k in five 10-minute intervals (one minute of walking between intervals). The problem I am finding is that I am a slooooow runner. Right now I am running on the treadmill so it is easy to track my speed and I can comfortably run long distances at 5mph, but in order to get under an hour in the 10k race (my goal!) I need to be running at 6.2mph minimum.
My coworker used to train professional bicyclists so I asked him for some advice on getting faster and he suggested interval training with my "fast" intervals being well over 6.2mph. So now I am doing some distance runs and some interval training to pick up my speed! He also suggested that I should strengthen my legs so I went ahead and threw in some strength training too!
So here is my plan:
- Intervals for speed x2 per week
- Leg exercises for strength x3 per week
- Longer slower runs for endurance x2 per week
Fun times indeed.
My leg exercises don't take very long, so I actually consider those my rest days. I am using this infographic that has been circling Pinterest:
It is tough, and not much fun, but it is only 15 minutes.
But I actually find myself looking forward to my runs! I am not sure where this crazy exercising Casey came from, but I am certainly encouraging her to keep it up. The funny thing is that I have never really been a runner, even though I have attempted running as my exercise many times. However now I find myself loving it. I love how my whole body is in motion and I can feel each muscle pulling its weight in propelling me forward.
Forefront of my mind right now (even over speed) is posture. I know that if I can improve my posture it will make running easier overall.
For example, this is proper posture when running:
And this is me right now:
Haha, ok maybe I am not that bad, but I am definitely trying to stand taller and keep my chest open so that I can get more oxygen in these rickety old lungs. I find it is easier to practice posture on my slower runs, so that it what I am attempting to do.
And as for fueling, my coworker told me that right after you stop the "hard" workout and before you go into cool-down, you body needs glucose to help your muscles rebuild. It isn't easy for me to do that in the gym, but what I am doing is eating 1/2 protein bar before my workout and as soon as I finish my cool down walk I go straight back to the condo and drink a cup of chocolate milk. Technically chocolate milk has glucose-fructose in it, but it is easy for me to get to quickly. And you know what- I have experienced minimal soreness in my legs after my workouts! I had one sore day, and that was after a strength training day, so I think my fueling plan is actually working .
Are you a runner? Do you have any tips for how I could get faster and stronger?
My coworker used to train professional bicyclists so I asked him for some advice on getting faster and he suggested interval training with my "fast" intervals being well over 6.2mph. So now I am doing some distance runs and some interval training to pick up my speed! He also suggested that I should strengthen my legs so I went ahead and threw in some strength training too!
So here is my plan:
- Intervals for speed x2 per week
- Leg exercises for strength x3 per week
- Longer slower runs for endurance x2 per week
Fun times indeed.
My leg exercises don't take very long, so I actually consider those my rest days. I am using this infographic that has been circling Pinterest:
It is tough, and not much fun, but it is only 15 minutes.
But I actually find myself looking forward to my runs! I am not sure where this crazy exercising Casey came from, but I am certainly encouraging her to keep it up. The funny thing is that I have never really been a runner, even though I have attempted running as my exercise many times. However now I find myself loving it. I love how my whole body is in motion and I can feel each muscle pulling its weight in propelling me forward.
Forefront of my mind right now (even over speed) is posture. I know that if I can improve my posture it will make running easier overall.
For example, this is proper posture when running:
And this is me right now:
Haha, ok maybe I am not that bad, but I am definitely trying to stand taller and keep my chest open so that I can get more oxygen in these rickety old lungs. I find it is easier to practice posture on my slower runs, so that it what I am attempting to do.
And as for fueling, my coworker told me that right after you stop the "hard" workout and before you go into cool-down, you body needs glucose to help your muscles rebuild. It isn't easy for me to do that in the gym, but what I am doing is eating 1/2 protein bar before my workout and as soon as I finish my cool down walk I go straight back to the condo and drink a cup of chocolate milk. Technically chocolate milk has glucose-fructose in it, but it is easy for me to get to quickly. And you know what- I have experienced minimal soreness in my legs after my workouts! I had one sore day, and that was after a strength training day, so I think my fueling plan is actually working .
Are you a runner? Do you have any tips for how I could get faster and stronger?
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Trivet-ial Pursuit
At the Dollarama this week I picked up this pack of cork trivets for $1.50 (there were two in the pack). I had an idea of a project I wanted to do and they seemed like they would fit the bill!
I painted the front of each trivet with leftover chalkboard paint from my chalkboard wall (Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore). I used a foam brush that I also got from the dollar store! 6 for $1...so cheap so I just threw it out when I was done :P
I let it set for 24 hours (probably less than chalkboard needs, but these were $1.50...not worth worrying about ruining). Haha. I then prepped them with rubbing chalk all over and then cleaning them before writing on them and hanging them up!
Aren't they cute? I needed something near my computer to write down quick ideas that I come up with for future blog posts. The "How About Cupcakes?" one is from this adorable youtube video. That little girl and I have the same views on what to have for dinner each night!
So there is my quick little project to help my table become more of an office! Have you ever used chalkboard paint on something like cork?
Did you find this post triveting? hahahahahah I'll stop now
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)