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Fridays and Sundays-Lost in Transition

Happy Friday ladies! No dressing room diaries this week, just a quick life update. I figured you wouldn’t be interested in seeing closet inserts, flooring, dishwashers, ovens, drawer pulls, etc. That’s what I’m shopping for this week…in between tossing things into a suitcase for the cruise we leave for on Sunday.

The House

We picked up the keys this week and celebrated in our new backyard.

Taittinger campaign

The home we bought is lovely…but dated and worn out in places. Much like things many of us hold onto in our wardrobes. We’re not gutting this house but we do need to update things and give it a bit of a facelift.kitchen before renovation

The kitchen and bathrooms need the most work. The master closet is a train wreck so that’s what I’m focusing on first. Mr. AWSL keeps saying “that’s fine, why do we need to change it?” Silly man. Does he want to hang his clothes in the garage? There’s only one rod in our closet and it’s broken. Plus there’s no place for shoes!

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life outside Lowes wearing black duster sweater over denim shirt and jeans
black cardigan similar on sale | chambray shirt similar on sale  | leopard belt simliar| sunglasses | jeans | shoes | handbag

I’ve spent more than my fair share of time in the aisles of Lowes this week. Their Memorial Day sale is on now and we’re trying to get some things ordered before we leave on our cruise.

dining room chandelier

The house has some perfectly fine lighting that’s all coming down because I have several antique chandeliers, just waiting to be unpacked from our old house.

I’m not over the moon, excited about this house. But what I am excited to do is see my things that have been packed away for a year. That funky little statue I found at a flea market. The confit pots I’ve collected over the years. The things I’ve inherited from my mom and dad. The “jewelry” of my house.Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life outside Home Depot

I look a bit more bedraggled by the time we got to Home Depot. It was our last stop of the day before racing to our grandson’s last baseball game of the season.

Cruise wardrobe

I promised to share my wardrobe for the cruise, and I will. Right now, everything lightweight is being replaced with sturdy things for rain and cool temps because the weather forecast isn’t what I’d planned for.

rolling rack of clothes for river boat cruise on A Well Styled Life

Here’s what’s on my rolling the rack now. Yes, it’s a sea of black, white and leopard. This kind of packing makes mixing and matching a snap which means I can cram it all into that tiny carry-on. More to come on this later.

BTW- I’m sure you know the Nordstrom half-yearly sale is on and have been inundated with blog posts about it. I’ll just share what I bought on tomorrow’s Would You Wear It post.

Thanks for reading ladies and have a great day.

41 Comments

  1. Barbara Shapas says:

    What a relief to finally find THE place to call home, and near your family. Congratulations! Have a wonderfully relaxing time on your cruise. Loved our Amsterdam to Basel Viking cruise; those small ships are great for getting right into the centers of cities. Enjoy!

  2. Actually I am interested in what you are doing to update your new home. We are in same boat! The first things are closets, garage organizers, lighting, then painting. I don’t need to update the kitchen and the white appliances but I want to. Lots of research , decisions and of course, money. Have fun!

    1. We’re doing ours in sections. I want to live in the house for a while before we choose how to renovate bathrooms, flooring etc

  3. Loved that picture of the champagne in your new backyard. What a lovely way to begin life in your new place. Congrats! How exciting to come home to this after your cruise!

    1. It will be hectic and exciting. The workers all show up the Monday after we return.

  4. When it comes to closets California Closets is great and well worth the expense. They can also do pantries and other storage areas.

    Have a wonderful anniversary!

  5. So happy you have a new home! What a relief. It will be lovely to unpack all of your things! Just don’t have Home Depot renovate your kitchen. We are in the final stages of them doing ours and – while the materials are great – their labor and customer service were the pits. It became a two month full time job for me to manage the subcontractors! Enjoy the cruise and can’t wait to see what you bought on sale. I’m living vicariously through the wardrobes of others. Xx

    1. We have chosen separate subs for the kitchen. It’s not a total gut job because hubs insists we keep the granite counters. Something had to give and I decided I could live with them if I fixed other things.

  6. So happy you found a new home. When you have time will you please post your average temperatures so I can see how it relates to where I live where the summers are hot. Thank you.

    1. This will be our second summer here. Lady summer it sweltered in the 105-113 range too many days for my comfort.

  7. It’s those personal things that make a house a home. I know you have wonderful taste and I know, after some tweaking & remodeling, your house will reflect you & your style. Hoping you have a well deserved relaxing cruise, and will be anxious to see what adventures you had.

  8. Jeannette Larson says:

    YES,yes,yes! I need help with vacation packing how to! We just got back from a week on Vancouver Island where I waay overpacked. So please, really delve into HOW you pack ALL that you need into that little bitty suitcase, because that’s how I want to roll!

    1. Hanging everything on one rack is really helpful because you can mix and match to see how many outfits you need. I think I’ve overpacked too.

  9. Beverly Glotzbach says:

    When you add a little of your style, I’m sure it’s going to feel like home. Enjoy your cruise, enjoy the sights and R E L A X. You’ve earned it!!!!

    1. Thanks so much Beverly. I’m really looking forward to relaxing.

  10. So happy you found your new home after such a long search. We took a Basel to Amsterdam cruise five years ago. Loved every minute. Such an easy way to travel. Bon voyage!

  11. Really glad to hear you found a house and are staying near family. Congratulations and wishing you much joy as you settle in and make it home. There’s nothing more satisfying than tossing empty moving boxes and stepping back to admire your new clean organized closets! It’s like solving a puzzle.

    Have fun on the trip! We can’t wait to hear all about your adventures!

    1. I agree! Those boxes have been around too long. We’re starting to get really excited.

  12. Jennifer – what river cruise are you taking? We did Budapest to Amsterdam 2 years ago (15 days) and had a wonderful time. So much fun. I wish you all good things for your upcoming move too! I sent you a Rav message…
    Barb

    1. I remember seeing your posts from that cruise. It looked amazing!! We are going Budapest to Prague. Spending a couple of days before and after I’m each city.

  13. Have a wonderful cruise. I look forward to reading more about your travels and new home.

  14. So happy for your new home and hope you two have a wonderful cruise! Safe travels!

  15. Alison Stephens says:

    I would love to see what you do with your closets, before and after. Always looking for new ideas if you have time to share. Happy holidays!

  16. Hope Dufner says:

    I really like the rolling rack idea to get ready to pack for a trip! Where do you store it when you don’t need it?

  17. Glad you will again have your own place, and you will be amazed how quickly it becomes HOME when you have your own things unpacked and in place! Enjoy your cruise regardless of the weather.

  18. So exciting!! Looking forward to before and after of your new home. Relax and re-energize on your cruise so you will be ready for all the unpacking.

  19. The jewelry of your house! What a fun way to think of it! I bet you’re about to have a great time — plus, a cruise! Enjoy your well-deserved peace of mind, Jennifer.

  20. Have a wonderful time on your vacation.i hope your move goes smoothly.

  21. I know you are super excited! Have fun getting your new home the way you want. So happy for you!

  22. Deborah Broughton says:

    You have so many wonderful adventures all going on at one time!
    Enjoy!

  23. Will you please post BEFORE/AFTER pictures of the changes you make in your new home? I’ll bet you were the most stylish woman in Lowes that day!

  24. Jennifer,

    I am so happy for you! So many exciting things happening in your world right now. And I must add that I a glad that you are near your grandson.

    Just wait until you start packing those boxes…it will be like Christmas in July! It’s amazing the things you’ve forgotten you have.

    Rosemary
    xoxo rd@dSs

    1. Thanks so much Rosemary. That’s such a great analogy! It will feel like Christmas in July. I know one of my things got smashed in a box so hopefully there’s not too many like that. I’m not a professional packer 🙁

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