Hooked on Houses Has Moved!
I told you I was working on a secret project, and that if all went well I’d have a big announcement for you soon. Well, here it is. I finally took the plunge and got my own domain name for Hooked on Houses.
It’s now easier than ever to find me. My new address is http://hookedonhouses.net. You can remember that, can’t you? You can hook things with a net, and I’m on the ‘Net, and the site is on a dot-net!
Come on over and check it out. I’m hosting a giveaway for bloggers who update their links and blogrolls with my new address this week, too. See you there! -Julia
3 comments September 29, 2008
Taking a Drive Along Meridian in Indianapolis
I’m back! Did you miss me?
I had a great time in Indianapolis, visiting our old stomping grounds. Dave and I lived in Indy for the first 7 years of our marriage and loved it there. It’s always good to go back.
As you know, I was invited to the Indianapolis Home-a-Rama to take pictures for you guys, and it was a lot of fun. I got lots of great things to show you. I took over 400 photos of the houses, so it might take me awhile to get them all cropped and posted, but they’re coming, I promise!
It turns out they don’t grow houses quite as big at the Indy Home-a-Rama as they do in Cincinnati. They were a little more to “human scale,” and I liked them better. There were a couple I was ready to move into just as soon as I can raise a million dollars.
22 comments September 27, 2008
“Top Design” Episode 4: You Tell Me!
Well, guys, I’m in a hotel room in Indianapolis and didn’t have a chance to recap “Top Design” for you this week. I know, I know–I’m sorry!
I only caught about 15 minutes of last night’s episode and only know who was booted off because I read about it on Blogging Top Design. (I can’t say I’m surprised, even though I didn’t see how the rooms turned out.)
If you watched it, let us know what you thought about the episode in the comments. Give me a recap of your favorite lines, favorite rooms, feelings about the judges’ decisions, or whatever. I’d love to hear your take!
P.S. To hear about my trip, follow me on Twitter!
6 comments September 25, 2008
A House Tour & Some Blog News
Remember when I asked where you thought we should go for our next Fantasy Open House series?
Well, you gave me tons of good ideas and some great links to try. Thank you! Now I have a long list of places to visit (virtually) in the months ahead.
Soon after I took that poll, I was told about a village near me that was hosting a walking tour of old houses. I went last weekend and had the time of my life. These homes had so much charm and history. I’ll be taking you on a tour of those houses when I get back from my trip. I think you’re gonna love ‘em!
I walked past this house during the tour and actually gasped when I saw the enormous front porch. Dave had to stop me from running towards it. Luckily it’s for sale, so I was able to look it up on the real estate listings and see the interior photos.
After the shock of that zig-zag foil wallpaper and blue “shower pod” in yesterday’s post, I figure owe you something pretty to look at. Take a look!
46 comments September 24, 2008
One of These Rooms Is Not Like the Others…
Okay, boys and girls. It’s time to play one of our favorite games, called “One of These Rooms Is Not Like the Others.” See if you can spot the one that doesn’t seem to belong.
There’s a game they play on “Sesame Street,” where they show a group of pictures and sing:
“One of these things is not like the other. One of these things just doesn’t belong! Can you tell which thing is not like the others by the time I finish my song?”
When I see a house like this, that song starts playing in my head.
Today we’re taking a tour of a charming old Victorian built in 1900. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, and is on the market for $639,000. Most of the rooms fit the style of a home from the turn of the century. But then there’s one that has been…updated.
Take a look!
46 comments September 23, 2008
Candice Olson’s Designs are Divine
One of my favorite shows on HGTV is Candice Olson’s Divine Design. She never disappoints. I love how she manages to make traditional style look modern and light.
Look at this basement that Candice remodeled. I need her to come and help me with mine! If I could have anyone come and give my house a makeover, she’s the one I’d beg and plead for. I think I’d love anything she did.
If you could have anyone decorate your house for you, who would it be? Do you have a favorite designer? Maybe there’s a blogger you’d love to get help from. Or a creative friend? Let me know in the comments.
P.S. I’m working on a major project at the moment that is giving me a major headache. I’m also leaving town this week for a few days–I’ve been asked to speak to the kids in a Writing Seminar at my alma mater about My Life as a Freelance Writer. So I might be a little scarce around here this week.
Continue sending me your best (worst) Fake Family Fotos for our contest and we’ll vote when I get back. I’ll also have some news to share soon, so stay tuned!
42 comments September 21, 2008
Calling All Fake Family Fotos!
Valorie, from the lovely blog Visual Vamp, had a great idea (no, that’s not her in the hat!). She thinks we should all show our Fake Family Fotos here and have a good laugh. Sounds like fun to me. So here’s what I’m thinking.
We’re going to have a Fake Family Foto Contest!
That’s right. So here’s what you need to do. Send me your best (worst) photo taken at a professional studio. When I have gotten at least 5-10 of them from you guys, I’ll post them and we’ll take a vote on our favorite. The winner will get an Amazon gift certificate!
If you have a photo of yourself in a brandy glass, we want to see it! (I’m looking at you, Angela.) We’d love to see any Glamour Shots you’ve got lying around, too, or portraits with “interesting” backgrounds.
Not only that, but if 10 of you send me your photos, I’ll rustle up one of mine to let you guffaw over, too. How’s that for incentive?
Don’t worry. We won’t be laughing at you. We’ll be laughing with you. And your public humiliation contribution to the Fake Family Foto party could win you a Big Prize!
What are you waiting for? E-mail your entries for the Fake Family Foto Contest to me at jknispel @ cinci.rr.com.
26 comments September 19, 2008
Top Design Recap: Clash of the Reality Show Titans
This week’s episode of “Top Design” is the one I’ve been looking forward to the most because they promised “Project Runway” alums. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been a die-hard PR fan since the first season. I was especially excited to see Andrae (“What happened to Andrae?!” as Tim Gunn would say) and Santino from the second season.
Spoilers for Episode 3 ahead, so don’t read if you don’t want to know what happens, okay? Okay. Let’s start the recap!
29 comments September 18, 2008
Fake Family Fotos: “Say Cheese!”
Today we went to get our family photos taken for the church directory. You know the kind. I won’t name the big-time photography studio that does these, but I’m sure you’ve all experienced them and their fuzzy-blue backgrounds.
For our sitting we had crushed pink velvet instead of fuzzy blue. Very cutting edge.
I don’t want to offend anyone, because you are entitled to like what you like, and I have plenty of friends who line their hallways with them, but I’ve just never liked these kinds of staged family portraits. They seem fake to me.
52 comments September 16, 2008
Lots of Thanks & Blog Awards to Pass Out
Well, I spent yesterday cleaning the debris and branches from our yard. I drove out to try to do some shopping, only to find that we’re the only people in town with power. Store after store was dark and closed.
When I spotted a Target with cars in the parking lot, I pulled in. Turns out they were out of power, too, but were open anyway. I shopped in the dark, squinting to see price tags and find what I needed (they had the emergency lights on).
The refrigerated shelves were empty, and I overheard an employee saying, “Well, I just had to throw out $10,000 worth of food.” What a waste! I could’ve used some of it. We’re down to crackers, bread, and a half gallon of water at our house (okay, slight exaggeration).
So I returned home without all of the things on my shopping list that I had gone out for. But there was a package at my door. I love getting packages!
When I opened the box, these adorable acorn salt and pepper shakers were inside. Ms. Tee of Delightful Home had sent them to me as a thank-you for linking to her blog. Isn’t that sweet? That small act of thoughtfulness totally made my day. Thanks, Ms. Tee!
As I drove around our town and realized how bad the damage from yesterday’s storm was, I grew increasingly grateful for our good luck. We only lost a couple of trees.
There are still hundreds of thousands of people without power. It’s “the most massive power outage in Cincinnati history.”
This is all to say that, geez, I’m feeling really grateful today, so I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of my faithful readers, wonderful commenters, and amazing blog friends.
The counter on my blog passed the 600,000 mark this week. I’m not sure how that’s even possible! When I started this site on a whim in January, I was excited when 20 people showed up. So I just have to take a moment to say thanks for coming and hanging out with me here!
I’ve also been meaning to say thanks for some blog awards that have been passed my way recently, and now seems like a good time.
27 comments September 16, 2008
