Painting the Facade

I think the number one question I get from this blog is for the name of our exterior paint color.  Since the house was already painted when we bought it, I really had no idea… until we had it color matched to paint the exterior siding on the porch chimney last summer.



After a few admittedly half-hearted attempts at locating the paint can, I FINALLY uncovered it when we cleaned out the garage (a little) last weekend.  Here is the label for the gray color match:



That beings said, we are due for an exterior paint job real soon and I’m *thinking* (read: very tentatively considering) about going with the same colors from the porch.  We’ve lived with them for about six months and really, really love them!!

And besides, somehow changing the colors would make me feel like we're really getting our money's worth.

Happy weekend, y'all!
xoxo

Pixar, Pixar, Pixar...

It's that time again. Pixar revealed quite a few things...

It's always big news when Pixar reveals a tiny smidgen of what they have in the works, but just in time for the new year, they gave us one piece of concept art each for three of their upcoming features: Bob Peterson's The Good Dinosaur (opening May 30, 2014), Pete Docter's "Inside the Mind"/Inside Out project (opening June 19, 2015) and Lee Unkrich's "Dia De Los Muertos" film (which I assume will hit theaters in summer 2016).

Beautiful... Just beautiful... The Good Dinosaur's piece is very minimal, but the lighting and use of color is gorgeous. I can already see a Pixar-esque shape and design for the dinosaur, despite the fact that it's only a silhouette. Like I've speculated before, it seems like the film will in fact focus on the boy and the apatosaur that first showed up in one of the Up B-roll videos back in 2009.

The "Inside the Mind" artwork gives us a glimpse at what the film's characters may end up looking like, and so far, I'm beyond impressed. After all, this is Pixar. Also, the drawing proves that the idea is pure Pete Docter at its finest.

The "Dia De Los Muertos" piece is the most stylized here, and again, excellent use of color to give it the appropriate mood. Already looking great! Who is the man in the photo? Will he be a main character in the story? Or not?

Pixar also treated us to this nice slice of Monsters University, another faux-ad for the titular campus...



Even though this clip is no longer than 30 seconds, it shows just how stunning and elaborate this production will be. If I could go to MU, I would!

Last but not least, more breathtaking concept artwork has been revealed for Gary Rydstrom's shelved feature film directorial debut Newt. It's almost like a sneaky message, as if they are quietly saying, "It's coming... It's coming... We still need time to iron out the problems!"

Almost everyone I know pretty much wants Pixar to end up making this film a reality. I have a feeling they will, no idea ever went away for good at Pixar. One thing is for certain though, that concept artwork shows that the film had a ton of potential. I'm curious, what were the story problems that halted this film? That's not all of it either, there's even more on the German-language Pixar Blog.

Pixar certainly gave us our fix for the beginning of the new year. I'm psyched to see more in the coming months!

A Resolution

The W family is on the brink of its very own sort of fiscal cliff – Honey has decided to become our household CFO after ten years of turning his head on pretty much all expenditures.  I suppose it’s time…  *wipes tear from eye*

With this in mind and considering all of the “things” I’ve stashed away because they were 1) too good of a deal, 2) something I’d totally need “one day” or 3) all of the above, I have plenty of projects to keep me busy and one resolution for 2013 -



- To evaluate everything I buy and ensure it has a specific and immediate purpose (which will also help tremendously when Honey starts logging on to check the amex)

- To evaluate everything I commit myself and my family to doing/going/supporting/etc (I have always taken my role as guardian of our family calendar seriously but fear it may get out of hand as the baby is on the brink of having is own friends and activities)

- To evaluate everything stashed away in a closet or cabinet to ensure it's something we truly need (you know, so I don't go all hoarders over the years)

I haven’t made resolutions in eons but I’m pretty darn thrilled to be back in the saddle.  There are many good things to come in 2013!!! 
xoxo


(As a side note, I'm proclaiming this resolution to the "world" while under the lingering haze of nighttime cold meds.  UGH.  Please excuse any ramblings that don't quite make sense.)

Module 9: UPA and American Independents

Columbia started out as one of the lesser players in the animation industry, constantly overshadowed by the titans of Disney, Warner Bros., and MGM. However, in the 1940s they contracted United Productions of America, a studio founded by former Disney artists including John Hubley. After making a few films with some of Columbia's stock stars, UPA quickly took animation into a bold new direction, and transformed the landscape of American animation. UPA eventually fizzed out after the departure of Hubley, but their style of limited animation became the norm in independent American films over the next 20 years.

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HGTV Dream Home 2013

One of my family’s rather untraditional New Year’s traditions is to tune in for the premiere tour of the new HGTV Dream Home.  Afterwards, Mother, Sister and I debrief room by room, talking about every little detail that we loved (and those not-so-much.)  Linda Woodrum has been the dream home designer of choice for quite a few years and is pretty much a celebrity as far as we’re concerned (Sister shopped along side her at Scott’s a few years ago and promptly called to report back on exactly what she was procuring.)  

Without a doubt, my favorite thing about the 2013 Dream Home was its choice location in Kiawah Island.  I mean, I’d have taken any of the houses up for the win over the years, but this one would literally be a DREAM! 




The marsh views from the multiple porches were to die for.

I loved the idea of the old iron Charleston gates over the fire place, but that focal wall felt a little cold to me overall.  However, looking from the other direction, the room was super gorgeous and sumptuous.


While I adored the blues, browns, linens and muted greens, this citron color was a little too prominent for my taste.  That would really be my only complaint.


I could seriously take this pantry and slap it right onto my kitchen.  I love that the look is very attainable and wouldn’t be too outrageous to DIY.  I think this would be a great look for my laundry room that’s on our 2013 project list.  I can’t get enough of the oversized, off centered prints layered over the shelves.  And now I know where I could put a few demijohns around this part without them getting broken (a conundrum I’ve pondered many times.)

I thought this was fun and dramatic and perfect for a powder room.  Love the horizontal pin stripes – a fresh take on the bold striped walls we’ve been seeing for years.

The loft area would be perfect for the littles.  I love the indigo and white but wasn’t crazy about the art.

The master suite was just lovely.  Serene and tranquil and lovely.  The large white framed sea fans were one of my favorite pieces of art in the whole house.  I've been thinking of doing something like this for some time now.




The guest suite was one of my very favorite spaces.  I loved the pops of indigo and the updated traditional bed with the geographic rug.  The bathroom was definitely my favorite of the lot with its clean and simple lines.


The bunk nook was cute and colorful and my littles would love it.  The rope handles on the drawers were a perfect detail!


I really can’t say enough good things about this room.  I just loved every little detail and thought it would make for a super sweet girl room for the girl that’s not all gaga over pink (is there such a thing?).  I used to have the same stripes in the dining room of my old house  - alternating flat paint and satin paint in the same color.


Since the garage is also on our 2013 project list, I was completely wowed by this one.  I mean, check out that polished concrete floor for heaven’s sake.  And that “playroom” is TOO much. 


So that’s a little mini tour of the 2013 HGTV Dream Home.  What did you think?  I know I’d be happy as a clam to move right in :-) 
xoxo

Looking Back on Twenty-Twelve

2012 was quite a year for animation, wasn't it? As we are now in a new year, let's pause and remember the best of last year...

- Rango, Gore Verbinski's incredibly risky animated Western tale, rightfully took home many accolades and proved to the industry that you can in fact pull off big risks.

- Rich Ross, the controversial man who was the Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios, got the boot. The seasoned and film-savvy Alan Horn took his place. Disney is back on track after a relatively downer period.

- The year had three animated films that grossed $200 million at the domestic box office. While the quality of some of the films are debatable, it's still good to see animation doing fine.

- Three impressive stop-motion films graced the silver screen: Aardman's The Pirates! Band of Misfits, Laika's ParaNorman and Tim Burton's Frankenweenie.

- Pixar proved to critics that one film couldn't stop them. Brave, despite getting a good number of negative reviews, was still a well-received film.

- Pixar also announced many new things: Two untitled upcoming films (one of which is being directed by Teddy Newton), the title of Bob Peterson's dinosaur film and Lee Unkrich's upcoming "Dia De Los Muertos" film.

- Wreck-It Ralph became another runaway success for Disney, showing that Tangled wouldn't be their only big hit. They are here to stay.

- Paperman, the ethereal short film attached to Wreck-It Ralph, certainly made quite a splash. It was a six-minute miracle of innovation and technological breakthrough in the medium. That's what Disney is known for, right?

- Disney also seemed enthusiastic about the upcoming films for Walt Disney Animation Studios, such as Big Hero 6 and Ron Clements and John Musker's untitled hand-drawn project.

- Many good animated television shows continued to run successfully, and impressive new entries came in as well.

- DreamWorks kept releasing critically acclaimed films, and also scoring their first big box office blockbuster domestically (in over two years) with Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted.

- Paramount announced more plans with their in-house animation studio, and are very enthusiastic about competing with the heavies.

~

Well, with all that being said... Happy New Year everyone! What was your favorite animation moment of 2012?

Ringing in 2013

Although the littles stayed up with us to usher in the new year, it was a relatively quite night over all.  And this first day of January in the South brought dreary skies and the tenth anniversary of our traditional New Year’s Day eats.
    
I adore the juxtaposition of a little grit and a lot of glam, so silver, crystal and candlelight glittered over a simple length of burlap on the table.  I pulled last year’s Bonne Annee kraft paper pennant out for another go round.




Sister and her Mister made the delish pork roast and Honey and I made the rest of our standard fare – hoppin john for luck, bourbon bacon greens (I substitute turnips) for wealth, honey cornbread muffins, the Pirate's House pecan pie (recipe here), sweet tea and champagne.

 
Hoppin John

1 c celery chopped
2 sweet onions chopped
1 green pepper chopped
6 slices bacon, ham pieces or ham bone - cooked
Salt and pepper to taste (about 1 tsp and 1/2 tsp respectively)
1 c uncooked rice

can of chicken broth plus enough water to have all the rice almost covered
container fresh black eyed peas (or two if you like a lot of peas like we do!)

Combine everything in a large pot.  Bring to boil and then lower to simmer for about 40 mins or until rice is cooked and veggies are tender.  You may need to add water if it cooks out before rice is done.  
I liberally salt and pepper it and Honey adds hot sauce.



After stuffing our gullets we splayed out all over the den for a lazy day of watching football.  I’m already mourning the end of the holidays, as Honey heads back to work tomorrow.
 
Happy New Year, y’all!
xoxo