It's been so long.

Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year my blogging has taken a big hit.  I just haven't been able to sit down and dedicate time to this little hobby of mine.  Several things have changed around our casa before we rang in 2012.  I planned on multiple small posts, but I just need to regurgitate all that has happened and start fresh in this new year.

A quick run-down of the changes:

• 8 of our window 'shams' had to be replaced (thank yooooou home warranty!).  When we would open our windows, they were pretty loose in the frame (at the top) so we had each of them custom measured and re-fit into the window frame.  They are much tighter and overall, we are very happy with the warranty work from our builder.  Don't forget, we also had the bathroom tub and tile re-done last month.  

• Hung art work in our extended entry way:

 Believe it or not, there is something at Anthropologie that sells for less than $100.  It is this colorful striped paper that I purchased (for $12!).   A girl can never have enough pretty paper, and I took that opportunity to prove to the Husband that I COULD go into that store and not come out in debt.

 Eventually, Aaron's Brothers had a big sale where I purchased three frames and mats, then got to hanging.  Note that is is all one (large) piece of paper.  I just turned the paper upside down on the far right, and turned it vertical in the center.  It's not a Monet - but it fills the space nicely.  

 Eventually, I hope to get a piece of furniture to place under this to hold shoes.  Right now, shoes just live on the floor - but I have my eye on this beauty:

It's tall, dark and oh so functional.  I foresee this to be a great landing place for my purse, keys, etc (oh, and shoes).  The Husband and I both hate shoes on in the house - and I hate clutter... so this is a great way to disguise my stinky Toms and the Husbands sweaty sneakers.  Also, the ceilings are 14 feet high in this entry way, so getting tall (and shallow) piece of furniture will work well.

• Hung all of our University of Texas "art" in the playroom:

These pictures are from official UT programs from the 1940s and 1950s.  They were all in a calendar we received as a gift (back in 2010).  The pictures were perforated and perfect for an 11"x14" frame.  Again, the Aaron's Brothers "buy one, get one for a penny" deal to the rescue!  We purchased the Texas star at a local grocery store, and the license plate art was a gift as well.  I'm still missing one frame on the left, as there was a screw issue.  It will be up soon.  I hope to eventually place a couch/furniture on this wall, so I purposely hung them high.  The playroom is still 100% empty - but we have big plans for it in 2012.

• Hung more shit in the extended entry way

Our entry long.  Very long.  See here:

See all that empty space between the front door and the arch?  I haven't even gotten there yet.  I'm still trying to fill up the space post-arch.  

I purchased these door hangers at Aaron's Brothers when I bought the frame.  

I adore that they are keys.  And it really goes perfectly with the Pottery Barn keys I hung in the entrance from the garage into this extended entry way (lots of entries happening there, huh?)

Ah.  Cohesiveness.  It's rare in this big, empty house.  But moments like this make me feel like it's possible.  

Please note the new paper art and the coat hangers on the right.  The wedding photo gallery that I hung almost immediately upon move in is on the left.  Oh, and all the shoes on the floor.  

The random picture on the floor is the UT poster that I still have yet to hang. 

Sadly, we are 6 months into living in this home... and I still think it feels very "new construction" and not home-y.  I know we will get there eventually but it is going to require more time, and a lot more furniture.   Hanging things on the walls certainly helps while we save up the cash for real pieces of furniture.  

Anyone have an idea for the wall at the end of our bowling ally entry way?  (in the photo above it's the wall with the thermostat).  It's the first wall you clearly see when you walk in and it needs SOMETHING.