Newlywed Nesting, Notsomuch

Most people who know me, know that I'm a die hard fan of home improvement projects done on the cheap.  In fact, nothing makes me more excited than working on a project for our home... I devour the blogs until I find the perfect look, then I shop for bargain materials, learn techniques, and go!  For example, we added our fireplace mantle to the living room for about $150, but it would have cost $1,500 to have the local professionals do the same exact thing (with the same exact mantle).  All it took was some google searching for the right supplier and some high gloss paint.  J. and I also did our own marble kitchen backsplash by scoring clearance tiles from Expo when it went out of business.  They didn't have enough 2-inch tiles, so we got a box of 4-inch tiles too and figured out how to stretch the materials.  I made a plan on graph paper, J.'s cousin came over with his tile cutter, and for $150 in supplies and a weekend's work we had a new marble kitchen backsplash!

Unfortunately, I can't do any more nesting for a while, which is really too bad because I'm in full-swing-newlywed-nesting-mode.  We've been trying to sell J.'s house for the past 4 months to the tenant who lives there- she is a lovely woman- but unfortunately the sale fell through on Friday.  And so we're now trying more aggressively to sell my big girl house.  I have to believe that somehow, this will all work out, but it's incredibly frustrating to now know where we are going to be.  I am a planner, and not being able to make plans for my home is making me nuts.  But for now, home improvement projects do not make sense.  Maaaaaaaaan.

But a girl can dream!  In an effort to get my design fix, I've resorted to blog love.  Check out these great blogs I've recently discovered, with their incredible offerings!  You'll probably notice these are very "me" (lots of vintage, eclectic, cozy, with a substantial dose of country and only a touch of modern/contemporary) but there's tons more out there for every taste and style.  Please go forth, nest and share so I can live vicariously through you!!

320 Sycamore:  Check out her little makeovers.  Or her recent $5 dollar store spring vignette. 

Apartment Therapy:  An old favorite!  With craigslist finds, madeover furniture, and lots of reader feedback, this place is like an encyclopedia!

Better After:  Spectacular projects, before and after!

A Country Farmhouse: Self explanatory and brilliant.

Kelly and Olive: Design inspiration at it's best.

Frugal Farmhouse Design: This author has killer taste and great ideas.

My Repurposed Life:  This blogger takes trash to treasure in simple, genius ways! 

Anything Pretty:  So much loveliness in one house, it's hard to believe.  I wish I was as good with woodworking as Jenny!

Life as a Martha Wannabe: I feel like I myself could have a blog with this title.  But I love this one so much, I don't need to!

Young House Love:  So much adorable cuteness, so little time.