Planning it Out

I tried my best to explain the new house layout with descriptions and pictures, but a floor plan is worth 1000 words.  Even if that floor plan is my hand drawn, not to scale mess.  The upper level is almost self-sufficient, only the laundry room is in the basement to keep a household functioning.

The entry is a split level and all living spaces branch off from there.  Bedrooms and bathrooms are to the right, over the garage below.  And here’s the (wonky, not especially accurate) drawing of the basement.  Garages take up about half of the lower level.  Ben wants to knock down the walls between the storage rooms (at the top) and the garage to gain enough space to store two cars and his boat.

I didn’t know what to call the large, red-carpeted space in the basement, so it’s now the bonus room.  And here’s the pool room configuration, roughly.

So many doors in there!  Three out to the deck, one off the wet bar leading to the back patio, and another from the house, right next to my office.  The half bath backs up to the kitchen, accessible from the pool room.

Again, nothing is to scale, so things look off.  The boys bedroom isn’t that long and skinny, the kitchen isn’t that big, but it should help figure out which room is where.  When I find the time, I’d like to do a video tour, if you’d be interested…

Our Humble Sponsors: April

Wahoo, our internet is connected again.  On to regular scheduled programming.  This month has gone by quickly.  Strike that, this year has gone by quickly.  We’re happy to have great sponsors at Our Humble A{Bowe}d and it’s time to share the love.

Apartment B is a great shop specializing in graphic and patterned window shades.

How fun is this Nautical Stripe shade?

And this Knife, Fork, and Spoon shade is adorable.

Their graphic shades include typographic maps and this London Bus Roll shade.

Scissors, Paper, Mouse is a little Australian based shop is filled with cute and colorful prints like You’re So My Type.

Absolutely Nuts About You is a cute little love note.

Of course, there are plenty more designs to choose from, so stop by the shop and show Yasmin some love.

Joseph Thompson Woodworks is another Etsy shop with cool kitchen gear.

This small end grain board is a perfect addition to any kitchen, adding function and style.

Of course we love the coasters, too.  This black walnut set is a new addition.

E-Meals, is an online meal planning site designed to save you loads of time and oodles of money.

E-Meals offers a variety of meal plan options including vegetarian, gluten-free, and low carb.

S and S Babee is continuing to support us, too.

S and S Babee is a small shop with hand sewn baby goodies. Jenna takes custom orders, so if you’re looking for something, give her a holler.

Last but not least, my blog bud Jen at IHeart Organizing is showing us some love.

Jen has re-released her all-inclusive Household Binder Kit, complete with three cover sheets and customized pages.

Don’t need a whole kit? Jen offers single pages, too, so stop in the shop and browse through the options.

Interested in advertising with Our Humble A{Bowe}d? Here’s some info to get you started.

Etsy Favs: April

Sorry for the late post. We’re still without Internet, so here’s a post, courtesy of my iPhone.

Billy buttons are adorable, and so are these Blue felt flowers from Fairyfolk.

While I love to look at jewelry, I don’t wear a lot, so I’ll leave this beautiful Columbian emerald ring by Erin Jane Designs for someone else.

A simple Square brass necklace from Scattered Stars would look great paired with nearly everything.

Before I had kids, I was a purse gal.  Check out this fun Neon leather purse by Inizaile.  Meow!

Add some pizzazz to your fridge with these Ceramic watercolor magnets by Ross Lab.

Need a cute, small lamp?  How about this Accent table lamp from Filigree Creations.  Poke around the rest of the shop for other great lighting options, too.

Oh, hello summer.  How are you?  Curtsy poppy by Gretchen Kelly Studio is the perfect splash of summer.

I don’t think I could pull it off, but this Round beads necklace from Jull Made is fun and funky.  Don’t you think something similar could make great wall art?

Another pretty ring.  Ice queen ring by Chymiera.

Carry groceries, books, or mail in style with this Color theory tote by Bright Beige.

I just might have to get a pretty address stamp after we move.  I’ve got my eye on this Custom calligraphy stamp from Hazel Wonderland.

Which of my favorites is your fav?

Gimme a Giveaway: Chasing Alila

This giveaway has ended.  See who won here.

Like our last giveaway, this week’s isn’t home decor.  Rather, personal decor, this time from Chasing Alila.

These ribbon necklaces are adorable.  Braided Sea Breeze:

Braided Tropical Green:

Classic Black and White:

The Goods: Anything from the Chasing Alila shop.

To Enter: We ask that you please subscribe to Our Humble A{Bowe}d.  If you don’t want to receive e-mail notifications, that’s fine.  Let us know if you follow us through Google Reader or another form and it will also count.  To subscribe, click the “Sign Me Up!” button under “Be the first to know.”  Once you’ve subscribed, leave a comment, which can (but doesn’t have to) include our Just for Fun question.

Just for Fun: Tell us something you’re chasing (or planning).  A new job?  A vacation?  Your kids?

For additional entries:

1.  Add Chasing Alila to your Etsy favs, come back and leave a comment telling us what your favorite item is.

2.  Like Our Humble A{Bowe}d on Facebook, come back and leave another comment.

Contest Closes: Thursday, April 19th at 11:59 pm, central time.

Number of Winners: One!

Ships: Anywhere on earth.

Other Info: We will select the winner using random.org and announce on Friday, April 20th.  Good luck!!

Gimme a Giveaway Winner: SallyHP & Easter Goodies

It’s Friday.  Can this day get any better?  I think it can.  I get to announce the winners of the SallyHP giveaway.  Angel P and Maggie, consider this your birthday, too.  And, it’s Easter weekend, so here are a few Easter ideas.

Edible bird’s nest:

Egg dying techniques:

Egg carton chicks:

Doodle Easter eggs:

Origami bunny rabbit:

Bunny folded napkin:

And, Stylelist included our Hoppy Easter printables in a round up.  Check out the other great ideas.

Happy Easter, everyone!