We bought a zoo....errr, I mean a house...

we bought a house.

today was the closing date and it's official: I am a home owner once again. 

except this time I am on my own, and it's completely scary.

avery and I love this home.  I mean, we LOVE it. it's a cute '60's bungalow where my retro furniture feels at home. we feel at home.  from the original honey floors to the claw foot tub we feel at home.

the best thing about this purchase is that we actually moved into this house fifteen months ago as renters.  now I don't have to pack or move a box, but I do get to paint and make it more of a home for us.

it was anticlimactic today to 'close' on a home that we were already living in. it doesn't quite feel real.  we didn't celebrate, we didn't have a party, not even a cupcake. but while I was doing the dishes this evening we had an impromptu chase around the kitchen island and my heart leapt for joy. together we are home. and it's awesome.

I can not wait to build this more into our home.  

future plans include a fenced in backyard next spring, as well as a new side entrance.

down the line we hope to reno the bathroom in the basement and add a fireplace down there as well. 

for now we are awaiting a new back door and are slowly picking out paint colors for each room.

a lot of fun, love and laughter awaits us here.

in our home.

xo,

melissa  

Oh so thankful...

 

happy turkey day!

I'm most thankful for this little fella right here.  This little guy is my mountain, and sometimes he is my valley.  He makes me laugh out loud and sometimes he makes me cry.  Together we make each other laugh, act foolish, play legos, cuddle and watch TreeHouse, color, fight, and have the best of times.  I'm so thankful to have him in my life!!   

 

What a little goober!

The yumminess above was made by my grandmere (apricot cheesecake)

Unfortunately sugar and I are not best of friends lately and a few bites of this was so not worth the headache that followed afterwards, but it sure was yummy!

hope all of my canadian friends had a wonderful thanksgiving!

xo,

melissa

living my dreams to the max!!!

 you guys...i won the lottery!! YEP!! Since May, seven girls and I at work have been playing the weekly lotto.  We play the same lotto (lotto max) every Friday and by our tickets from the same store each week.  We got lucky with the draw on September 14th, getting six numbers plus the bonus in the draw! Missing the 20 million dollar jack pot by just one number, but snagging us a sweet second prize of $367,896.30$ split between the eight of us.  Super rad.  I was in a daze for a few days trying to wrap my mind around cashing a cheque for almost $46,000.  That's a big deal for this single mama I've gotta say.  It's a nice big security blanket for Avery and I.  We haven't quite decided what we will do with our winnings, but for now they are tucked safely away.  Every now and then we look at our bank balance and smile. :)  Here are a few pictures from our trip to ALC headquarters to pick up our winnings....

xo,

melissa

one of those mom's...

 I hate to be one of those mom's who thinks that their kiddo is the cutest EVER. But seriously, try and argue that statement. My kid is adorable. Shout out to Auntie J for the fab hat that Avery has been rocking since Easter! He loves it.

xo,

one sweet kiddo's mama

moving onward...

Avery and I got our own place! :) We are only renting, but it's a big step for us in our new life as single mama and cool dude two year old.  

The house is 43 old and I didn't end up taking any furniture from our old house except for a couch, tv and Avery's dresser.  I wanted to move on from the modern furniture that we had there and get some retro 60/70's pieces that were more my style. 

I love having our own space, and Avery really loves the house too.  When we are out somewhere and he tells me that he wants to go to "Mommy's new house", I get the biggest grin!!

So, without further ado, here are some crappy quality instagram picks of our new place...I really need to take more...I just bought some vintage furniture to fill up the sunroof too, so those pics with be along within a few weeks!

 

xo,

melissa

yard sales...

 Last Saturday, mom and I went on our first yard sale trip of the summer.  And our first stop was a major success! I picked up everything in the above photo for 10$!!

 Keeping my eyes peeled for more of these to stack...

 In other news, Avery and I have moved into our temporary home above my parents' garage.  We just found a house to rent, so it looks like we will be living solo in August! It will be great to have our own space...the loft area is pretty sweet for now, but it doesn't have a bathroom and because it's not attached to the house, it is not super convenient...

 My 1$ lamps are in perfect working condition! I also picked up these rad side tables for 25$ on our yard sale trip.  Keeping my eyes peeled for more!!

xo,

melissa

date night...

 

last thursday my boy and i had a date.

it was the best kind. full of smiles and laughter. no whining, no grumpiness, no complaining or yelling. and best of all, no pooping!

he didn't pay, but I did get a kiss at the end of the evening.

this mama loves her date nights.

xo,

melissa

Death Stare...

 Avery has definitely perfected that look.  Glaring up at you, probably wishing you would disappear...

If he wasn't so cute most of the time, I'd be worried about his little two year old 'tude!!

xo,

melissa

i need a new tripod...

 these at arms length iphone outfit shots are getting old already!

but i do love this outfit. switching up the zig zag shift dress into a top does wonders for those days when you feeling a little heavy around the middle #amiright?

dress: ruche; pants: F21; flats: Spring

 Avery Uncle Mark & Auntie Jess were up to visit on the weekend brought Avery this little plush Chuck Norris doll.  Which he used to beat the dog with this morning.  It's like he knows about Chucks' badass abilities.

tried out my hair extensions on the weekend, it's been awhile, but I can't wait for my hair to get longgggg like this!

hope you all had a fantasico weekend!

xo,

melissa

life bits...

 1. my sweetness 2. borrowed boots

3. date w/ my boy 4. pretty bow

 1. fairy shoes 2. coolest dude

3. fuel 4. double dots

 1. tub time 2. pedal to the medal

3. setting up a space 4. young mamaSTYLE

1. stripes n skinnies 2. nature walk

3. cameo girl 4. milk glass

instragram update from the past month of so! 

chugging along, single mamaSTYLE

xo,

melissa

soccer mom...

Today, I officially become a soccer mom.  But, at least I have glitter shoes!!

xo,

melissa

honey do....

it's 8:24 am, thursday...i sat down to write this blog post yesterday afternoon, but i couldn't think of anything to write.  every time i sit to think, all that comes across my mind is a list of things i need to do this month! with Christmas, Avery's 2nd birthday and my surgery next week, i have a million things to do! but that list is so daunting that i'm trying to sweep it under the rug and forget about it.  

i need to quit burying my head and face this list head on! mainly, i need to get all of the decorations together for avery's birthday party and start wrapping presents so that when i'm feeling better after surgery i won't have a ton of things to do in the short period of time before christmas!

eeeeek! i better get started.....

dress & shoes//asos

tights//ruche

xo,

melissa