I was going to call this post Fab Prefab, but go ahead and see if there aren't 6000 blog posts out there with that title.

After this post, nobody will ever beleive me when I say that I dislike new construction ever again.
It's true that I really (really!) hate cookie-cutter suburban developments that have granite countertops, engineered hardwood floors, and cherry cabinets. or whatever the trifecta is.

I also really dislike the 'more is more' stance that many people seem to have. I watch HGTV real estate shows where people see a 3000 square foot home and say "I don't know if this is enough space for us, because we might have a baby one day and god knows we don't want to share a universe with it. Plus, where's the dog's bedroom? Where's the fourth full bathroom so that I don't have to pee in the same toilet as my husband, kids, or guests?"
I vow, right here and right now, that I will never, ever buy a home more than 1600 square feet. 2 bathrooms, max. Why? Because somebody has to clean all that extra space. And it ain't gonna be me.
/end tangent.

What I really wanted to say was that I think the idea of prefab living is super cool. Not prefab as in a double-wide, of course. But check some of these out:

(click on photos to link to their sources)

My favourite prefab concepts involve homes made from shipping containers. Keep in mind, the ones in the photos are actually huge, and break my 1600 square foot rule.

The LV series of homes from Rocio Romero is another very cool design. For the LVL (3bedrooms, 2bathrooms, 1453 square feet), prices begin at $42,950 (this is their large model, other smaller homes cost even less). This includes the walls and exterior only; the client builds their own foundation, purchases their own windows, and then installs all interior fixtures and fittings to suit their tastes. Dreamy.

there are so many companies now doing prefab homes. some are assembled on-site, others are delivered whole with everything including the kitchen sink already installed. Prices range hugely, but many are intended to cost less than a standard site-built home. One thing I love about the modern design of many of these is that they are designed to let in LIGHT. Lots of LIGHT. From the SUN. Something my current home lacks sorely.

Now, if someone just wants to give me a peice of land...

Robin redbreast, come and gone.

*found on the back walkway this morning...


from the way this egg is cracked (ie, poked out at the end), I choose to beleive it hatched of its own accord rather than being scavenged. It's so pretty. I don't know where the nest is.

*please reserve any comments about my sausage fingers. It's a Dutch thing, I can't fix it. I can only hope that, through selective breeding practices, I can avoid passing this trait on to future generations. Oh, wait, nevermind. Kyle's hands are huge.

Bedclothes to dream about.

I just stumbled across Ell & Cee, a lingerie boutique in the UK. They do ship internationally, though.


all of their peices are so beautiful and feminine...

I think this beachsuit is my favourite. Great for summertime lounging or flirty bikini cover-up, no?

find them all here.

Can't argue with the truth.

I wish this was card from egg-a-go-go was available in poster form.
I sense an alchemy request in the very near future.

I love my Pa.

My dad and stepmum just left my house after sharing a wonderful father's day dinner with me.
Kyle had to leave to do a short work-related stint of travelling as soon as they got here, which was sad. But, at the same time, his absence afforded me a really lovely evening alone with my dad and his new(ish) wife, who I predict will be a great friend to me.

We barbecued ribs, I shared two bottles of wine with my stepmum, and engaged in some light, fun conversation.

And, in the course of things, of talking of family and travelling and aspirations, they dropped a huge, fantastic peice of news.

They want to help with the wedding! Like, a lot!
This may not seem a big thing to many who might see or hear this. It's common and even expected for a bride's parents to pay for or at least help with wedding-related costs. But my relationship with my dad in the past has been less than ideal, and for several years was fairly strained, partially because I had committed to Kyle at such a young age, something which a father must accept with difficulty. In addition to that, my family has never had money. I'm talking living in subsidised housing for my entire childhood, with our family sometimes receiving welfare or employment insurance cheques. Only recently have these financial stresses been alleviated for my dad, and my mum still struggles to meet her monthly committments.

Therefore, a monetary pledge from my dad means so much more than just money.
It means that he approves of my choice of a partner. It means that he trusts my judgement in making my decision to get married, even though he might think I'm a bit too young still.
And what that money means, means a lot to me.

I am touched. I am appreciative. I am blessed.
Happy Father's Day, Everyone.

Wonderful Irresponsibility.

I slept through my alarm this morning (weird, wonder if that had anything to do with being up until 1:30 when I had to get up at 5:30).

And, when I woke up (at 9), I decided that instead of scrambling to get ready for practicum, then get there and have to explain everything, I was just going to laze around, make some tea, and post on my much neglected blog instead. I emailed my instructor, and now, here I am.

(you're) The one that I want

woo, hoo hoo.

look at this, would you?

just look at it. it's so wonderful.

Turtle Love Committee

Kyle and I are choosing our own wedding bands, because we want to. We have different styles, and if we are going to wear a ring for the rest of our lives, the peice itself might as well be as beautiful to us as the thing it stands for, no?

In other news, the wedding venue is BOOKED! I will be getting married on:

May 22, 2010 (!!!)

Wow. It's less than one year away.

We have been engaged for two years already (three by the time our wedding date rolls around) and I have been (im)patiently waiting for the time to come when I can start planning. And this is it!

So, stay tuned over the next year to find out the trials and tribulations of planning a wedding with less than $10,000 (we are trying for 7-8000. yeah, we're crazy.)

Yikes, What am I doing awake? I have to be up in four hours.