So where were we...?
Oh yes, so we got our loan approved and after that, we were just waiting to close. It turns out that the sellers were willing to close at the end of July rather than in early August like we were told originally, which is good news for us because of our arrangement with the bank to lock our rate. Hubby went back to the bank to renegotiate our rate since it went down and all was well. We agreed to let the sellers stay in the house after the closing until early August. So then came the long wait where nothing interesting happened.
Before we knew it, it was one week before the closing and we were waiting for our lawyer to tell us how much money we will need to bring for the closing. Unfortunately, he was waiting for the bank lawyer to tell him. The walk through was scheduled for the morning of the closing at 9am and the closing was to take place in another borough soon after. On the morning of the closing, we still had not received the number from our lawyer, who still had not been able to get the number from the bank lawyer. We were still waiting after the walk through and I must say was getting irritated, anxious and nervous. While we slowly made our way home after the walk through, our lawyer called with the number. We rushed to the bank to get the cashier's check and then rushed to our lawyer's office for the closing. Finding parking made us late, but we got there in the end. Whew!
Once at the office, we had to start signing stacks of paperwork. Our lawyer explained the important points of each stack of paperwork before having us initial and/or sign every page. Everyone there was very friendly and there was nothing contentious or non-standard. It was a pretty simple, straightforward closing and yet, it took 4 hours! That made it so that we were just in time to hit rush hour traffic on the way home and a 35 minute trip took 2 hours!
By the time we got home, we were exhausted. We still went out one more time to pick up boxes for packing and then went out to dinner. The next morning, we were still exhausted, but at least, we are now homeowners!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Interior design
I do not know anything about how to design anything. I can't even say I have much of a personal style. In the end, I just want my home to be functional, efficient, clean and uncluttered. Never in my life have I had so much free reign to decorate a space this big, meaning a house.
So of course the first thing I do is to research for ideas from design blogs and online magazines. I had already been a regular of apartmenttherapy.com and its sister sites, but I was hungry for more ideas. I needed to see more photos of furniture layouts, color combinations, space-saving solutions and so forth! In the past few days, I've become addicted to perusing the photos of houzz.com on my iPad. I even downloaded the app so I can look through the thousands upon thousands of unattainable design photos to see if I can possibly use one scrap of what I like in my own life. I went through a list of shelter magazine sites and blogs, including:
http://decor8blog.com
http://www.designsponge.com/
http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/
http://ifthelampshadefits.blogspot.com/
http://brightbazaar.blogspot.com
I saw many, many unaffordable/unpractical options that I love. I was also completely overwhelmed by all the options and decisions in front of me. Like a kid with too many crayons, I can't pick one! Overall, I get the distinct impression that these magazines favor the houses of millionaires. What I need is practical advice and guidance. What I need is visual inspiration that can be applied to my own personal situation. However, I did find out a little about what I liked and didn't like:
- I am not into the rustic look, particularly if the room begs for an animal head on a wall.
- I don't like modern design. Yes, it's clean and very neat-looking, but it looks hard and unyielding.
- I want my decor to maximize sunlight. The house does get sunlight, but more so on the upper floor where there is a sky light and fewer buildings and trees blocking the windows. I don't mind there being less light in the dining room or kitchen, but I want the living room to be bright.
- I don't like clutter and prefer rooms where things are packed away with only a few display items placed neatly around the room.
- I like things to look either roomy and airy or cozy and intimate.
Some things that I have decided upon:
- Our living room is not very big, which means that we have to keep it on the more intimate and cozy side. In order to maximize what sunlight we do get, I plan to paint the walls either white or white with a blue tint.
- I want to keep our spaces clutter-free. This means throwing things away and also putting things away. So that means providing storage. I love furniture that has hidden storage or does double duty. I really wanted to get a bed with under-bed drawers but it's considered bad feng shui. I think a storage ottoman is okay though.
-We're getting a very modular sectional couch: 2 corners, an armless chair and 2 storage ottomans. I prefer a white or near-white couch, but hubby says it will stain easily so we're getting one that is a bit darker.
- We will hold off on getting a dining set, coffee table and a new bed until we see how everything we currently have fits and whether we will have the funds for it.
- As much as I would like us to get matching desks that are light and bright in color, hubby's preferences for something more solid and heavy-looking won out. So he will get his big, solid desk and I will get something that is more "leggy" and compact.
It's been difficult to plan for a space we're not actually living in yet or have easy access to. It's also difficult trying to find furniture that fits our needs and preferences. We figured a month is enough time to find stuff and fill a space, until we found out the couch we want would take 10 to 12 weeks to deliver. I don't think we want to live without a couch until mid-October since we're moving into the house in late August. Given that, we had to compromise and get an in-stock couch in a color that would be my second choice. Not terrible, really. That's just how some things go.
So of course the first thing I do is to research for ideas from design blogs and online magazines. I had already been a regular of apartmenttherapy.com and its sister sites, but I was hungry for more ideas. I needed to see more photos of furniture layouts, color combinations, space-saving solutions and so forth! In the past few days, I've become addicted to perusing the photos of houzz.com on my iPad. I even downloaded the app so I can look through the thousands upon thousands of unattainable design photos to see if I can possibly use one scrap of what I like in my own life. I went through a list of shelter magazine sites and blogs, including:
http://decor8blog.com
http://www.designsponge.com/
http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/
http://ifthelampshadefits.blogspot.com/
http://brightbazaar.blogspot.com
I saw many, many unaffordable/unpractical options that I love. I was also completely overwhelmed by all the options and decisions in front of me. Like a kid with too many crayons, I can't pick one! Overall, I get the distinct impression that these magazines favor the houses of millionaires. What I need is practical advice and guidance. What I need is visual inspiration that can be applied to my own personal situation. However, I did find out a little about what I liked and didn't like:
- I am not into the rustic look, particularly if the room begs for an animal head on a wall.
- I don't like modern design. Yes, it's clean and very neat-looking, but it looks hard and unyielding.
- I want my decor to maximize sunlight. The house does get sunlight, but more so on the upper floor where there is a sky light and fewer buildings and trees blocking the windows. I don't mind there being less light in the dining room or kitchen, but I want the living room to be bright.
- I don't like clutter and prefer rooms where things are packed away with only a few display items placed neatly around the room.
- I like things to look either roomy and airy or cozy and intimate.
Some things that I have decided upon:
- Our living room is not very big, which means that we have to keep it on the more intimate and cozy side. In order to maximize what sunlight we do get, I plan to paint the walls either white or white with a blue tint.
- I want to keep our spaces clutter-free. This means throwing things away and also putting things away. So that means providing storage. I love furniture that has hidden storage or does double duty. I really wanted to get a bed with under-bed drawers but it's considered bad feng shui. I think a storage ottoman is okay though.
-We're getting a very modular sectional couch: 2 corners, an armless chair and 2 storage ottomans. I prefer a white or near-white couch, but hubby says it will stain easily so we're getting one that is a bit darker.
- We will hold off on getting a dining set, coffee table and a new bed until we see how everything we currently have fits and whether we will have the funds for it.
- As much as I would like us to get matching desks that are light and bright in color, hubby's preferences for something more solid and heavy-looking won out. So he will get his big, solid desk and I will get something that is more "leggy" and compact.
It's been difficult to plan for a space we're not actually living in yet or have easy access to. It's also difficult trying to find furniture that fits our needs and preferences. We figured a month is enough time to find stuff and fill a space, until we found out the couch we want would take 10 to 12 weeks to deliver. I don't think we want to live without a couch until mid-October since we're moving into the house in late August. Given that, we had to compromise and get an in-stock couch in a color that would be my second choice. Not terrible, really. That's just how some things go.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Removing rust and polishing metal
Need to remove some rust? Rub it with a cut potato!
http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/hot-tip/tip-remove-rust-with-a-potato-108090
I honestly don't know how someone decided to try using a potato to remove rust, but apparently it works!
Need to polish some metal? Make some home-made metal polish!
http://lifehacker.com/5821394/make-your-own-metal-polish-with-salt-vinegar-and-flour
http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/hot-tip/tip-remove-rust-with-a-potato-108090
I honestly don't know how someone decided to try using a potato to remove rust, but apparently it works!
Need to polish some metal? Make some home-made metal polish!
http://lifehacker.com/5821394/make-your-own-metal-polish-with-salt-vinegar-and-flour
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Hunting for a home, part 5
Okay, so when I last left off, our loan application was approved to be underwritten. However, the current owners were having trouble buying the house they wanted to move into. In fact, I think their deal on that fell through. So they asked to push back the closing date, which we were okay with since we're currently renting.
So when we agreed to that, we went to the bank to try to lock in our interest rate in case it rises while we're waiting to close. We had to pay extra for it, but in the long run, it could save us money. So while we're waiting for things to get settled, we learn that the current owners are willing to close a little earlier if we let them stay in the house, rent-free until the original delayed closing date. Again, we accommodated, but now we had to go back to the bank and re-negotiate the rate because the rate went down and our target closing date changed. Hubby was the one that handled all of this. Personally, I have no head for these things.
So anyways, the rate was successfully renegotiated and the bank had to re-review our loan application and accounts and stuff before they can give us the clear to close. Once the bank gives us the clear to close, we can schedule the closing date as a done deal. The whole thing has been a pain the rear so far.
With the tentative closing date coming up and the potential moving date creeping in, we have decided we should start furniture shopping so we can ditch most of the stuff we currently have and move into a house with new stuff. I'm not particularly worried about getting a new desk or a new bed, but I am worried about getting a new couch. Couches can take as long as 6 weeks to deliver and possibly longer for something custom made.Generally, it's a good idea to shop around anyways so we have an idea of what we like and don't like.
Unfortunately, hubby and I don't always see eye to eye on stuff. His aesthetic, in my opinion, leans towards the look of the old-fashioned man's smoking room or den. You know, dark furniture, mahogany desks, navy blue couches and dark drapes. My aesthetic is more towards bright, airy and cool. My hope is to be able to coordinate stuff so all the pieces work together and look good together. Right now, all our furniture is completely mismatched with many needing repair. The placement of the furniture was set before I moved there and there had been no plans to really re-arrange the place and actually think about the look and feel and coordinating stuff.
I'm hoping to have a nicely decorated house. The reality is that decorating and re-decorating requires a serious amount of money. That is, money that we're not going to have once we pay everything off on Closing Day. Well, one step at a time, I guess.
So when we agreed to that, we went to the bank to try to lock in our interest rate in case it rises while we're waiting to close. We had to pay extra for it, but in the long run, it could save us money. So while we're waiting for things to get settled, we learn that the current owners are willing to close a little earlier if we let them stay in the house, rent-free until the original delayed closing date. Again, we accommodated, but now we had to go back to the bank and re-negotiate the rate because the rate went down and our target closing date changed. Hubby was the one that handled all of this. Personally, I have no head for these things.
So anyways, the rate was successfully renegotiated and the bank had to re-review our loan application and accounts and stuff before they can give us the clear to close. Once the bank gives us the clear to close, we can schedule the closing date as a done deal. The whole thing has been a pain the rear so far.
With the tentative closing date coming up and the potential moving date creeping in, we have decided we should start furniture shopping so we can ditch most of the stuff we currently have and move into a house with new stuff. I'm not particularly worried about getting a new desk or a new bed, but I am worried about getting a new couch. Couches can take as long as 6 weeks to deliver and possibly longer for something custom made.Generally, it's a good idea to shop around anyways so we have an idea of what we like and don't like.
Unfortunately, hubby and I don't always see eye to eye on stuff. His aesthetic, in my opinion, leans towards the look of the old-fashioned man's smoking room or den. You know, dark furniture, mahogany desks, navy blue couches and dark drapes. My aesthetic is more towards bright, airy and cool. My hope is to be able to coordinate stuff so all the pieces work together and look good together. Right now, all our furniture is completely mismatched with many needing repair. The placement of the furniture was set before I moved there and there had been no plans to really re-arrange the place and actually think about the look and feel and coordinating stuff.
I'm hoping to have a nicely decorated house. The reality is that decorating and re-decorating requires a serious amount of money. That is, money that we're not going to have once we pay everything off on Closing Day. Well, one step at a time, I guess.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Cake for two
Lately, I've been having serious cravings for dessert. Cookies and candies just didn't cut it. I wanted a cake or pie or something that counts as an actual after-dinner dessert! I thought about baking my favorite vegan chocolate cake, but I didn't want to have to eat a whole cake, or even half a cake!
Fortuitously, as I was struggling with this dilemma, I came across a recipe that bakes just enough cake for 2 people. It's a simple, easy recipe that makes a really light and fluffy cake. It was so good, I made it twice this weekend!
For the recipe, check it out here:
http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/03/one-bowl-vanilla-cupcakes-for-two/
My only issue is the use of an egg white rather than the whole egg. I hate having leftover ingredients because then I have to think of something else to make with them before it goes bad. This past weekend, I just mixed the yolk in making some omelets or scrambled eggs.
Anyways, I'm sorry I don't have any photos of my cakes. They were eaten before I remembered I had a camera. The first try, I used buttermilk instead of milk and turbinado sugar. For the second try, I ran out of milk and used half and half and white sugar. I like the first try better. I felt like the flavor and texture was better in the first try. Both tries were yummy and hubby and I ate our cakes while they were still warm. I did not use cupcake liners or cupcake tins. I lightly oiled and floured 2 small ramekins and baked them in the toaster oven.
I highly recommend this recipe!
Fortuitously, as I was struggling with this dilemma, I came across a recipe that bakes just enough cake for 2 people. It's a simple, easy recipe that makes a really light and fluffy cake. It was so good, I made it twice this weekend!
For the recipe, check it out here:
http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/03/one-bowl-vanilla-cupcakes-for-two/
My only issue is the use of an egg white rather than the whole egg. I hate having leftover ingredients because then I have to think of something else to make with them before it goes bad. This past weekend, I just mixed the yolk in making some omelets or scrambled eggs.
Anyways, I'm sorry I don't have any photos of my cakes. They were eaten before I remembered I had a camera. The first try, I used buttermilk instead of milk and turbinado sugar. For the second try, I ran out of milk and used half and half and white sugar. I like the first try better. I felt like the flavor and texture was better in the first try. Both tries were yummy and hubby and I ate our cakes while they were still warm. I did not use cupcake liners or cupcake tins. I lightly oiled and floured 2 small ramekins and baked them in the toaster oven.
I highly recommend this recipe!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Homemade scrubs
Scrubs are actually pretty easy to make. At its simplest, it's just oil with some kind of sanding element like sugar, salt or coffee grinds. From here you can add glycerin, liquid soap, essential oils, powdered oatmeal, cocoa powder and all sorts of stuff. In the end, you want the scrub to slough off some dead skin and leave you feeling soft and clean.
Personally, I find that the plain oil and sugar/salt recipe leaves my hands feeling too oily. I've experimented with adding liquid soap a few times but always hated the resulting smell of mixing soap with oil. Instead, I've been adding baking soda, which has some cleaning properties like soap in it, but doesn't create a weird smell.
I also love using glycerin in my skin recipes. You can get vegetable glycerin at health food/pharmacy stores and online. Glycerin leaves your skin feeling hydrated which helps to keep your skin feeling soft for a while afterward. I use it in all my lotion recipes and it's also a great addition to scrubs.
As for the sanding element, my current favorite is white sugar. Turbinado sugar granules are too big and too rough. Sea salt is also too rough and harsh for me. I have white sugar in the pantry for certain baking recipes that absolutely must use white sugar in order to get the right texture. So hence, I make white sugar scrubs. Probably, I can make the same scrubs using fine salt, but I don't know if we have those. I stopped using the salt with the umbrella girl on it ever since I discovered how much better my food tastes using sea salt.
Anyways, so here is my favorite recipe to date:
1 part vegetable glycerin
1 part sweet almond oil (grapeseed oil will do as well. I like sweet almond oil because it is light and absorbs quickly into the skin)
Sugar (as much as it takes to get the consistency you like)
Generous sprinkling of baking soda
The above recipe happens to be one that I like. The thing about skin care stuff is that everyone has different needs. You should experiment and create a recipe combination that works for you.
Personally, I find that the plain oil and sugar/salt recipe leaves my hands feeling too oily. I've experimented with adding liquid soap a few times but always hated the resulting smell of mixing soap with oil. Instead, I've been adding baking soda, which has some cleaning properties like soap in it, but doesn't create a weird smell.
I also love using glycerin in my skin recipes. You can get vegetable glycerin at health food/pharmacy stores and online. Glycerin leaves your skin feeling hydrated which helps to keep your skin feeling soft for a while afterward. I use it in all my lotion recipes and it's also a great addition to scrubs.
As for the sanding element, my current favorite is white sugar. Turbinado sugar granules are too big and too rough. Sea salt is also too rough and harsh for me. I have white sugar in the pantry for certain baking recipes that absolutely must use white sugar in order to get the right texture. So hence, I make white sugar scrubs. Probably, I can make the same scrubs using fine salt, but I don't know if we have those. I stopped using the salt with the umbrella girl on it ever since I discovered how much better my food tastes using sea salt.
Anyways, so here is my favorite recipe to date:
1 part vegetable glycerin
1 part sweet almond oil (grapeseed oil will do as well. I like sweet almond oil because it is light and absorbs quickly into the skin)
Sugar (as much as it takes to get the consistency you like)
Generous sprinkling of baking soda
The above recipe happens to be one that I like. The thing about skin care stuff is that everyone has different needs. You should experiment and create a recipe combination that works for you.
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