Life happened, and more than a year has passed.

New house, new baby, new year. And hopefully, new content here!

We left off with a half done guest bathroom, so let’s pick up there.

The chevron marble tile was drool worthy. So much so, that part of me regretted not using it in our master bathroom.

Here is a closeup, mid install:

We used simple 3×6″ white subway tile from Home Depot on the shower walls.

You can see that the front half of the floor still needs to be grouted – what a difference that makes. It really pops with the grout.

We went with an inexpensive 72″ double from Houzz. Simple sconces from Restoration Hardware, and mirrors from pottery barn kids (great source for less expensive mirrors!).

The wallpaper I lusted after turned out to be too lust-worthy ($2000 in materials alone), and so we held off. One day I will muster the energy to find another option I love.

Here is the final mood board:

And here is the current space!

We are getting down to the final stages of our house renovation and there is so much to share. Plaster is dry and floors are going in – tile will start next week (if we can order it in time!).

The work will start on the third floor and move down throughout the house. So the first bathroom to tackle is the guest bathroom. It currently looks like this:

Before the plaster went up, I took this shot standing outside the door:

We added this bathroom to the house by extending an existing dormer, and stealing space from two closets in the neighboring bedrooms.

It will have a small shower tucked to the left of the door, a double vanity and toilet tucked behind a wall for privacy.

These are our final finishes, if you’d like to see:

We got simple white subway tile from Home Depot ($1.75/sq foot!), herringbone carrara marble from builder depot ($9.75/sq ft), and a vanity from houzz that included the marble top, two sinks and large mirror (all for $1600).

Here is the full supply list:

Vanity: $1600 for 72”, including mirror, sinks, carrara counterop

https://www.houzz.com/product/28556426-avignon-white-bathroom-vanity-square-basin-1-mirror-without-faucet-72-contemporary-bathroom-vanities-and-sink-consoles/lid=15088007

Faucets: $160 each

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TABSCY/ref=asc_df_B001TABSCY5369703/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B001TABSCY&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167144879227&hvpos=1o14&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13006101486165838834&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004338&hvtargid=pla-328099029567&th=1

Floor tile:$9.75/sq foot

https://www.thebuilderdepot.com/cpieth1x3hherb.html

Wall tile:  1.76/sq foot

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Daltile-Finesse-Bright-White-3-in-x-6-in-Ceramic-Wall-Tile-12-5-sq-ft-case-FE0136HD1P/207203432

Toilet: $398

https://www.faucetdirect.com/kohler-k-3827-bancroft-1-28-gpf-two-piece-elongated-comfort-height-toilet-with-aquapiston-technology-seat-not-included/p1719151?CAWELAID=120135430002045551&source=gg_!c945267110!a48669617444!k!m!p1o4!dc!ng!f&cvosrc=ppc.google.&cvo_cid=945267110&cvo_crid=224574741511&matchtype=&cvo_adgroup=48669617444&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInom04Iej2QIVQkGGCh19wgtZEAQYBCABEgK42fD_BwE

Toilet paper holder: $31

https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Brass-BA4818C-Metropolitan-Polished/dp/B00078DRG4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1518531046&sr=8-3&keywords=kingston+brass+toilet+paper+holder+chrome

Towel ring: $19 each

https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Brass-BA4814C-Metropolitan-Polished/dp/B00078AMYO?th=1

Shower head:

https://www.amazon.com/K-10590-AK-CP-Bancroft-Single-Function-Katalyst-Showerhead/dp/B003ULNTKO/ref=sr_1_15?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1518532005&sr=1-15&keywords=kohler+shower+head

Wallpaper: $88 per roll, assume 3 rolls:

https://www.serenaandlily.com/feather-wallpaper/m10367.html?color=Denim

Lights: $200 each, times 2

https://www.schoolhouse.com/collections/wall-sconce-fixtures/products/davis-double-sconce-225\

Goals. Do you love them, or do you hate them?

Context matters – are they daunting and unachievable or are they challenging yet possible?

The latter are inspiring, and achieving that goal is, well, the goal.

And yet I find that after an accomplishment, I almost immediately think “OK, what next”?

The thrill of accomplishment is fleeting.

It is the act of striving that provides a more sustaining boost. We owe ourselves a reminder that process is just as important.

Stay conscious. Present. Be excited about the future but don’t let that excitement rush you through today.

Remember to play.

“The end of a melody is not it’s goal, and yet if a melody has not reached its end it has not reached it’s goal” –Nietzsche

So too the weekend – savor the process, and don’t disparage its end. Without it, we would not be getting the break from routine that we crave.

Happy Friday!

It all starts with an onion, which for me means it starts with tears.

You could probably do without, but the end result would not have the same oomph.

Make sure it is finely diced so as not to steal the show – it should be like a stage hand, unseen but important. Red, white, shallot even, just make sure it’s there.

Next – the bright green star of our show.

Cut the avocado in half, scoop out with a spoon, and roughly chop in the bowl. A little chunk is good.

Top with good sea salt. Add the juice of half a lime. Fresh only. Be generous.

You could be done here, but we have a secret to share…

Parmesan cheese.

It adds that je ne sais quoi.

Pair with salty blue corn chips.

Dig in.