DECORATING 101

1. Ikea: over-hyped and confusing or genius furniture company?
Oh gosh, well, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love IKEA. And that we have PLENTY of it in our home (our dining room set, for starters), but, also, my husband HATES their furniture. With a passion. (Really, he hates the whole “putting it together guided only by that little cartoon man” part of it). But I still love all their shelving options, so I wouldn’t be surprised if a few more of their bookshelves find themselves in our home at some point. Though, given Nick’s stance on things, I’ll have to sneak them in!

2. Your favorite interior-decorator-type person wants to makeover one room in your house. Which room do you choose and why?
I should PROBABLY tell you my master bathroom. It is HIDEOUS in an “I live in a 1950s ranch and the counters in my bathroom are Pepto-Bismo pink” kind of way (seriously, it deserves nomination for a Bathroom Hall of Shame) but really, I’d remodel my kitchen. Make our open ranch even MORE open by taking out a wall, putting in an island and making our kitchen a true focal point of the home. The older I get the more and more I LOVE cooking at home, so I’d love to have a better range in the kitchen (we have a glass-top stove and I can’t use cast iron or Dutch ovens on its surface) along with updated appliances and new countertops and sink. My “Kitchen Coveting” Pinterest board ought to tell you everything you need to know on how I’d style the space!

3. Describe the furniture in your childhood bedroom. Did you like it? Where is that furniture now?
Oh gosh, it was this dated dresser that was a hand-me-down from my (older) sister with a tall skinny mirror (that I spent way too much time primping in) and then a Target white bookshelf along another wall (and my bed). The bed and dresser are  still there (the dresser has since been repainted) and the bookshelf has made its way into Dean’s closet — so instead of storing my Laura Ingalls collection now, it stores diapers and wipes for my boy!

4. When you’re done with furniture, what do you do with it? Donate it to Goodwill OR Sell it on Craigslist OR Put it by the curb and hope the trash guys take it?
I got REALLY lucky when we remodeled our living room and I was able to sell all of our furniture through an online community bulletin board at Ball State, where I work. (I was SO stoked when an eager college kid took my whole set of coffee table/end tables and TV hutch off my hands in one fell swoop!)

5. My Pinterest furniture style could best be described as
Clean/modern/contemporary with a “lived in” look. Or, basically, anything that Emily Henderson designs. I want to live IN her blog.

6. Name the most important furniture/toy in a toddler’s playroom. And why?
The bookshelves — storage for toys AND books. That’s a no-brainer! But also? I’m SO looking forward to an art table for Dean. I cannot wait to color and craft with my little man!

8. Your biggest furniture buying or home decorating regret?
Oh gosh…two things and they both have to do with our living room, which pains me to say it since it wasn’t that long ago I finished work on it: 1) I bought a BEAUTIFUL Room & Board couch but one that, while I’d sat on it at the showroom and loved it, Nick had not. So it taught me a VALUABLE lesson to never buy furniture without your spouse along (even though, at the time, he approved of it online). I will say, too, that we would LOVE to get a sectional in our living room now that we have a family. I so hope we can in the next year or two…I can picture movie nights with Dean all curled up in its folds! Also, I would LOVE to get rid of our Flokati rug because I quickly discovered just how bad it SHEDS. But our dog LOVES it (it’s “her” spot in the living room) and I’ve yet to find something I like better to help make a statement in the room (and hide a few carpet stains from the previous owner) so it’s staying put for now.

9. $1000 gift card! Do you want it to Ethan Allen, Ikea, Pottery Barn Kids?
Ummm…how about none of the above and you make it to West Elm instead?

10. Bunk beds, loft beds, trundle beds, or canopy beds?
Bunk beds are cute if you need the space for kids sharing a room; loft beds — oh gosh, remind me of my college dorm room and my one semester with a loft (all it took was a tornado siren going off one morning, causing me to sit up in surprise and smash my face on the ceiling to decide that was enough for me); trundle beds …hmm…never slept in one, never known anyone to have one…they seem like something that would be in someone’s beautiful beach home; and canopy beds make me think of my sister’s bed growing up and my best friend’s older sister’s bed (so, basically, kind of an ’80s thing).

I’ve always enjoyed the randomness of these Ten on Tuesday posts and wanted to bring the feature back with a few updates for the look and feel of the new blog! Hope you have fun with these!

ALL ABOUT THE 90′s!

1. Which boy band was your favorite and your favorite song? Oh gosh, I guess it depends on the year you would have asked me! In high school (sophomore and junior years), I trended toward Backstreet Boys. But by senior year/frosh year of college, it was allll about *NSYNC. This would have been their “No Strings Attached” era, and I don’t know an 18-year-old girl who DIDN’T own that CD (ahh…remember the physical act of buying CDs?) Writing about that CD, I instantly remembered “Bye Bye Bye” but had to Google the sappy love song that was on that album that you couldn’t escape circa 2000. Ladies, remember this song?! (Watching this video now is hilarious…it’s like a precursor to the set of the Twilight franchise).

2. Your favorite spice girl? That would be Posh.

3. Did you ever try the orbit drink? I had to Google it, so there’s your answer. But I DO remember two drinks of the ’90s that I had plenty of: Clearly Canadian (remember that?!) and Fruitopia (every day at lunch!). I also loved the Snapple lady.

4. What brand of clothing were you in to? Decide to order some shirts with names of snowboard and surfing companies on them, even though you’ve never done either sport.  — This HILARIOUS Buzzfeed countdown sums up the trends of the era nicely.

5. Did you watch TGIF? Ummmm..I think the better question is Who DIDN’T watch TGIF?! Though, there’s kind of a dividing era of TGIF. If you’re around the age of 30 (like me), your TGIF meant episodes of Full House, Perfect Strangers and Family Matters. If you’re in your mid-20s (as are students who work for me at Ball State), well, it was Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Boy Meets World (which, when word hit that a sequel series of Boy Meets World was in the works, I think every college student I’m friends with on Facebook collectively gasped)

6. What news story in the 90′s do you recall? OJ Simpson, OJ Simpson and OJ Simpson (we even got to watch the verdict in 8th grade study hall). Also, the ’96 Olympics. Watching Kerri Strug nail that vault with my best friends is etched into my memory for life. And Bill Clinton. In the news. For everything. Also, thanks to the wonderful Channel One (remember THAT?!) I can still picture the likes of Anderson Cooper and Lisa Ling reporting internationally from places like Bosnia and Uganda.

7. List which you think had the best talent. Jessica Simpson, Mandy Moore, Brittney Spears, and Christina Aguilera.  This is such an amusing question, given where all these ladies are now, but if I had to rank ‘em: Britney (come ON …she was the original ’90s pop queen), Christina (better vocals than Brit), Jessica and Mandy Moore (who HAS to regret singing a song about candy).

8. Did Marilyn Manson creep you out? Not really; I remember thinking his gothy grunge appearance on TRL (remember THAT?!) was kind of a refreshing change of pace from all the sudsy pop queens and kings (see Questions 1 and 7) that dominated the air waves otherwise.

9. Who was your BFF? Tracy (who I’ve written about here and here and here) and my other high school best friends were gals by the names of Heather, Sheila, Kristen and Amanda. They know who they are.

10. A picture of you in the 90′s. I’ve got about 10 photo albums at my parents (exclusively from the high school years – haha), but all I could find here at home was one of my senior photos, so here you go!

Ten on Tuesday topics from Roots and Rings

1. What did you get for Christmas?
Well, I’ve already written about what Nick got me for Christmas, courtesy (HA!) of my Pinterest board, but a few other things I got and loved: a few awesome sweaters, a new pair of cords, a set of awesome pots and pans, a panini maker (WHICH I LOVE), and a toothbrush that has knocked both Nick and I’s socks off (but you’ll have to wait for this month’s Favorite Things to hear more about that ;) )
2. Have you taken down your Christmas decorations?

Well, I was in charge of the indoor decorations, which came down the day before New Year’s. I leave the outdoor lights up to my husband. Who…ahem…may be waiting for warmer weather to take the big ‘ol bulbs off our rhododendron bush (which means, yep, we’re one of those houses for the time being). Here’s hoping this answer changes by the weekend!

3. What did you do for New Years Eve?

We have such an awesome group of friends in Indy who first got together to ring in the new year last year. We all came back together again this year for the same sequin-filled bash and now, I couldn’t imagine ringing in a new year any other way. Feel blessed by all of their friendships!

4. Do you like accents?

Pffftttt…what kind of question is THAT? If I tell you I adore Colin Firth and Keith Urban, does that answer the question?

5. What kind of television do you have?

A Samsung flatscreen. Which was purchased at a Black Friday sale in November 2010 and sat in the box for over 6 months until we the right place to put it in our revamped living room. Purchasing that television taught me two things: 1) I’m not big on having the latest and greatest in at-home entertainment (now that we have a TV that’s more compact, I could happily stick with this flat-screen until I’m 65) and 2) I will never ever shop a Black Friday sale again. Ever.

6. Did you make any changes at the beginning of 2012?

I’m proud to say I’ve gotten back into the habit of going to the gym three times a week (hit it up in the morning before work, so by 5 o’clock, I can be all, “Oh, hey, I actually DID work out today” and come home guilt-free!) Hoping I can make that stick as long as possible.

7. What’s the last book you read and do you recommend it?

It was Diane Keaton’s new memoir and I just felt “Ehhhh” about it –you can read my GoodReads review on it here (which, don’t you hate when you feel like you’ve not clicked with a book?) On the other hand, at the beginning of the month, I tackled The Orphan Master’s Son and WHOA. Let’s just say you’ll be hearing a bit more about that one later this week too.

8. Do you stay current on celebrity gossip?

Ummm….yes. To an embarrassing degree. Sigh. I wish I could kick the habit. But I just can’t. So I’ve given up and now consider the fact I know more about Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds dating than TMZ to be my own personal version of junk food.

9. Do you know the words to Bohemian Rhapsody? Gangstas Paradise? Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?

All I’m gonna say to this is, “Innnn West Philadelphia, born and raised….” :)

10. What is your favorite educational television show?

The Werners are Jeopardy fanatics. But after that, I’m pretty dorky about getting sucked into PBS’s Frontline or, if I know it’s on, Lisa Ling’s show on the OWN Network is pretty fascinating too.

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

1. What is your favorite online-only store?

It’s a tie between Amazon and Etsy…but my checking account would probably tell you Amazon.

2. Do you enjoy wrapping gifts?

Ehhh…if you’re asking if I’m one of those gals who goes “all out” with artistic bows and such, then, no. But I don’t mind it. I like to help my mom out and wrap together as we watch a holiday flick. This year’s was “The Family Stone.”

3. What is the temperature in your city today?

Warm. It’s been ridiculously spring-like around this part of the Midwest. Which makes me worry winter isn’t going to show her true colors until January hits.

4. What time do you eat dinner?

Anytime between 6:30 and 7:30, but never any later.

5. Will you be making New Years Resolutions?

Hmmm…most likely, yes. But I never like to call them “resolutions.” Last year, I dubbed ‘em my personal 10 Commandments for the year. You know, now that I look at that list again, I think I can just keep with those!

6. How old is your oldest pair of shoes that you still wear?

I have a pair of hiking boots I bought myself at least 10 years ago that are still in great shape. And even though they’ve been chewed on and I only wear them to take the dog out, I still have a pair of lime green Crocs floating around my house too.

7. Do you have any restaurant phone numbers saved in your phone?

Oooh, not proud to admit this one, but yes. Jimmy John’s. I have a once-a-week lunchtime habit with that crew (I can’t help it — that bread! It’s delish!) AND they deliver to the office. Hmm..maybe I should add “Eat less Jimmy John’s” to my New Year’s resolution list, huh? ;)

8. What is your favorite and least favorite letter to write in cursive?

OK, WHO writes in cursive anymore? But if we’re gonna go there, I could NEVER write the uppercase letter “Q” properly. It always looked like a “Z.”

9. Do you know any good riddles?

Nope, no riddles. But I DO have a good (bad) joke to share that, when my coworker told it to me last week, made me bust out in laughter (I’m a sucker for this type of humor – sorry!): “A set of jumper cables walks into a bar and asks for a drink. The bartender looks at ‘em and says, “Look, I’ll serve you just don’t start anything.” HAHAHAHA

10. How do you feel about snow?

I LOVE IT. When, that is, I don’t have to drive in it. So while I wish we had more of it blanketing my yard right now, I’m not going to complain given all the traveling we’re doing this holiday season.

Ten on Tuesday Topics from Roots & Rings

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

1. What is your favorite month?

I’d have to say the month we just left. October is when fall explodes and I just love the colors of the season, the light of the day (that golden shade no other time of the year can match), and how I can pull my sweater collection out again. Oh yeah, not to mention I get to celebrate another year married to that special man of mine :)

2. What is the best candy to get while trick or treating?

SNICKERS. Confession: Nick and I got one of those big ‘ol, like, SIX POUND bags of candy for our trick or treaters this year (and still had to get more…our ‘hood? It’s popular with the kiddos!) and I somehow managed to pluck about 80 percent of those little bite-sized Snickers from the bag. I think the only person who doesn’t like Snickers in their candy bag is that trick-or-treater I had one year with a peanut allergy and a deathly fear of me coming anywhere close to him.

3. What kind of pen do you use?

Truth be told, I’m a bit of a pen snob. If it ain’t a Pilot G2, well, don’t bother.

4. You go to a new Italian restaurant, what is your go-to order?

Oh, that’s easy! Eggplant Parmesan. Mmmmmm…..

5. If you could choose to have any celebrity’s hair, who’s would you choose?

OK, keep in mind this does not extend to her acting abilities here, but I’d have to say Blake Lively. I mean, does that girl EVERY have a bad hair day?

6. What’s your favorite board game?

That’s a good one. Too bad both my picks take FOREVER to play (meaning, no one ever wants to play ‘em with me) but my go-to faves are Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit. I also play a mean game of Cranium ;)

7. Do you know how to play poker?

Gosh, not well. I can hold my own, but don’t expect me to win. (My lone exception is a tournament one year at a New Year’s Party Nick threw but I think that’s only because people were imbibing alcohol and I wasn’t so I could hold my own.)

8. What do you think about Old Navy commercials?

I think there’s a loop of them streaming somewhere in hell.

9. What hurts worse- a stubbed toe or a paper cut?

Paper cut, 1,000 percent. A stubbed toe is over in two seconds (unless, like that I time I did in high school, you actually BROKE the toe)…meanwhile, a paper cut can linger for days, painfully reminding you of its presence every time you try to suck the hurt out of it. Especially if you happen to reach your hand into a bag of salty potato chips.

10. What’s your favorite kind of pie?

My mom’s apple pie. There is, literally, NO competition here.

Questions and topics provided by Roots and Rings

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.