What Ana Does

I was chatting with our contractor about final plans for our kitchen renovation ... we're getting so close to starting up, and I can't wait.  We were talking about the open shelving I have planned and how we'd need to get the black iron brackets. "They're not going to be floating?" he asked.  Ugh no. It's not that I don't like the look of a floating shelf, they give that clean look, for sure. But is it weird to think they're like a lame magic trick. Like people look at them and think "WOW, how are those shelves being held up, especially with all that weight!"  Obviously, they know how it's done, but it still feels like I'm trying to trick someone.  I don't want that in my kitchen. Visible brackets will be holding them up our shelves because I like the look of them and they feel like they belong there. Also, I've seen too many DIY folks on Instagram have to re-do their floating shelves because they didn't add enough su

Maybe the last place in our new house that is still outdated (and icky) is the basement staircase. Guys, it's pretty terrible. The carpet is ugly, musty and -- as I recently discovered pulling some pieces back -- has been housing an insect colony. Those crusty wormy things. I don't want to talk about it.  Anyway, it's high time I get my act together and pull it all out!  I'm starting here, with the top two stairs and landing, in my experience, the toughest area. Once I get this tricky part done, the long run to the basement will be easy-peasy. First step (pun intended, har har) will be pulling off the offending carpet, sanding the cheap-o wood, adding extra trim pieces to the gaps and calking the whole thing. As for design, my first through was to essential "dip" the entire staircase in a color, like this green inspiration photo. I also love the paneling on the wall, but am also considering wallpaper, to add a dash of drama to the tight staircase.     But, for

100 is A LOT of books to read in one year, but in my effort to reach this goal I've come across some new-to-me authors that I've enjoyed and started to look for at the library and book stores.  Beth O'Leary - The Flatshare is one of my favorites from the first half of the year. I listened to it on audiobook and the narration was fantastic but the story was also lovely and fun and emotional. I've since read her other book The Road Trip and liked that one almost as much. Last month, she released a new book called The No-Show and I can't wait to dig into it.  Abi Waxman - The Bookish Life of Nina Hill was such a highlight of the last month, too. She's funny and inciteful and warm. I bought one of her other books years ago and never read it. So that's going on my Read Next pile.  Tessa Bailey - Obliviously enjoying a lot of romance novels and this writer never fails to deliver a simple, funny, sexy story. I've read a It Happened One Summer and Fix He